Comments on: Enlighten Up! The Quest for a Story

By: Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening | Yoga IM

Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening | Yoga IM — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:03:10 +0000

[...] kirtan featuring some key Jiva figures such as Shyamdas (who appeared in the yoga peaceful picture, Enlighten Up!) and Sharon Gannon. Swami Ramananda, president of the Actual Yoga Institute, will fabricate known [...]

By: Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening | Yoga IM

Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening | Yoga IM — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:04:34 +0000

[...] featuring some key Jiva figures such as Shyamdas (who appeared in the yoga hollowware screen, Enlighten Up!) and Sharon Gannon. Swami Ramananda, president of the Innate Yoga Institute, will talk and so [...]

By: Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening at Yoga Nation

Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening at Yoga Nation — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:34:57 +0000

[...] and kirtan featuring some key Jiva figures such as Shyamdas (who appeared in the yoga movie, Enlighten Up!) and Dave Stringer. Sharon Gannon will speak. So will Swami Ramananda, president of the Integral [...]

By: May Brings World Laughter | Yoga IM

May Brings World Laughter | Yoga IM — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:19:32 +0000

[...] one iota of Laughter Yoga at all until I saw scenes of it in Kate Churchill’s movie, Enlighten Up! (A small group of older Indian men and women stand around doing simple stretches and laughing [...]

By: May brings World Laughter Day at Yoga Nation

May brings World Laughter Day at Yoga Nation — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:41:01 +0000

[...] I didn’t understand one iota of Laughter Yoga at all until I saw scenes of it in Kate Churchill’s movie, Enlighten Up! [...]

By: Robert C

Robert C — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:14:14 +0000

Your review hit on the head. One of my initial thoughts: Nick was being
hurled into yoga land on a dangerously fast track. How could he be expected to master poses that take most of years. I have found that happens in some yoga studios, especially gyms, and it’s incredibly irresponsible.
I also agree that as reflective as he seemed to be during his journeys he didn’t really, or wasnt’ able to express his ultimate transformation, particularly considering that he traveled the globe and met some
incredible gurus. He was able to endure the physical part of yoga, but the emotional and spiritual elements seemed to be a blank for him. Relating to my own experience, that cleansing process you go through is amazing.
I remember once going into class all stressed out in re to a relationship I was in. By the time the class ended I had forgotten what it was and when I did remember I was able to absorb it so much better. That connection between
mind and body escaped him.

I wasn’t so troubled by the filmmaker’s commentary. I actually found their relationship interesting and there seemed to be growth between them. In a large part I felt that was the story. Nick was an entertaining guy and
could have a career as an actor.

The film also failed to mention the demons that are revealed during your practice. All your ’stuff’ comes up, and it can leave you, at times, incredibly sad, but in a good sort of way, and you gain something in the process, self enlightenment.

The film was well made and very entertaining though, and that’s what brings people into the theater. I commend the filmmaker for tackling this issue and making a lively film too boot.

By: Mukesh

Mukesh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:42:43 +0000

Interesting documentry hopefully its a start of a conversation on yoga.

By: Why You ‘Should Enlighten Up!’ The YogaDork Review

Why You ‘Should Enlighten Up!’ The YogaDork Review — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:02:27 +0000

[...] Joelle Hann has a great review and interview with Kate Churchill over at Yoga Nation. [...]

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:35:29 +0000

Great, insightful story! As barely a yoga dabbler, I am attracted to the spiritual aspects of the practice yet largely find myself at a remove from its deeper meanings. (While my yoga teachers at the gym I go to sprinkle spiritual comments into their classes, it’s hard to make sense of them amidst other comments about working on our abs and the general atmosphere of the gym–with its thumping top 40 hits and rows of tvs that always seem to be showing CNN or reality cooking shows.) And so the story behind the documentary really intrigues. I like the idea that the documentarian’s document exceeds her control — and turns the making of the documentary into a sort of Buddhist challenge for the film maker–in which she must let go of her intentions and the desire to control her subject. Fascinating….