Obsessive practice of yoga or asana (as the physical activity is more accurately described) is an essential routine for many isthmus residents. I counted more than a dozen yoga facilities after searching "yoga Madison" on my favorite search engine. Yoga is now an $18 billion industry, suggesting that the practice is an important habit for millions of Americans – even in less idyllic, liberal and enlightened locations than our hometown.
The traditionally spiritual practice has taken many forms here in the U.S., even though asana once had been virtually abandoned in its Indian home. Even in our small town, "yoga" is interpreted very differently, ranging from a wicked good workout like the Power Stretch at the Princeton Club (which I assume is inspired by asana), the super-hot Bikram Yoga, and Bliss Flow's week-long Yoga & Wine retreats.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Kate Churchill, filmmaker, yoga practitioner and director of Enlighten Up! A Skeptic's Journey into the World of Yoga about her film, which searches for the true essence of yoga amidst the commercialization of the practice and its many forms. Along the way, Kate discovers that industry interpretations of yoga range from Hot Nude Hawaiian Yoga to New York Yoga Disco to Laughing Yoga to Diamond Dallas Page's (yes, wrestling fans) workouts for NASCAR Fans.
Kate's journey started when the film's producers Jeanne and Tom Haggerty asked if she wanted to make a film about yoga. "We worked through a few concepts, but decided on a subject that could appeal to a broad audience and help me to explore my personal belief in yoga in contrast to my doubts about its messengers."
The film explores an unpredictable spiritual journey around the world for Kate and her protagonist, Nick Rosen, yoga novice, skeptic and journalist. Nick was chosen after nearly a five month selection process from a range of "unlikely yogis." Kate explains, "We chose him not only because he fit the profile that we were looking for, but also because he was a journalist and could very articulately narrate the experience. He also turned out to be pretty funny and interesting on screen."
Kate hoped to "stack the deck" against the practice by taking an unlikely person and spending six months exposing him to yoga throughout the world. Her goal was to see if yoga's spiritual foundation could be redeemed by transforming even the most unlikely skeptic.
However, the film took an unlikely turn. Kate explains, "What I didn't know is that the conflict that would grow between the two of us – over the control of the story – would end up as the spine of the film with me in the antagonistic role."
After months of travel, several interviews and over 500 hours of footage, the team completed Enlighten Up!
The film was accepted to the Maui International Film Festival and will screen in Boston, Mass. and Boulder, Colo. this month. Additional screenings are pending for other cities this fall. "We hope to take the film to the Midwest and consider potential towns in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin depending on which locations seem to show the most grass roots interest," Kate explains.
As I told Kate, in a town obsessed with its culture of independent film – and yoga – I think we'll have a good chance of a screening here in Madison soon!
Enlighten Up, Madison!
Great post, Sam. Will definitely check out what sounds like a really interesting film. Namaste – Wisco Yogi(09-06-08)
