Review: A History of Yoga-- Directed by Deepika Kothari & Rajmi Om (Documentary)

The title reads History of Yoga by Deepika Kothari and Ramji Om. To the right is a broken statue missing its head and arms sits in a yoga posture. The legs are crossed over each other in a sitting position, and an open left hand opens a right hand in a mudra.

Perhaps one of my favorite documentaries to date is this one directed by Deepika Kothari and Rajmi Om. History of Yoga explores the origins of yoga and looks at its history. It looks at yoga as it develops from a relatively secular practice to achieve personal well-being to a spiritual vehicle to connect with divinity. It also looks at its influence in philosophical and spiritual spheres over the course of thousands of years. From its origin as a way of practice among those who adhered to austere lifestyles of practitioners in India to both Hindu and Muslim rulers in India...to its demonization by and eventual acceptance by Western societies.

This documentary is a must for those who are looking at the relationship of understanding consciousness and how it is connected to the body. The documentary looks at how over two thousand years ago, philosophers and spiritual teachers in India were noticing the relationship between a healthy body and mind. It does not demand that its audience believe or even embrace yoga. Instead it invites the audience to learn and to look at yoga as one of humankind's earliest known forms of connecting oneself to a holistic practice.

This documentary is over an hour long and is best enjoyed when you have time to sit down and take in the insights. One does not need to have a background in yoga already to enjoy it (though it definitely helps). I would recommend this for those who are not only interested in the practice but also those who are seeking knowledge on philosophy, health, spirituality, South Asian and East Asian cultures, New Age movements, or even those who want to learn more about the practice.

Below you can find a link to the English translation of the documentary. There is also a Hindi translation.

History of Yoga