Breath of the Gods

Modern yoga, that is, the form practiced daily by tens of millions of people around the world, goes back directly to Lord Shiva according to Indian tradition. At the same time, however, modern yoga originated in the early 20th century, a creation of Indian savant T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989). That story is far less known and is what this film is all about.

Krishnamacharya?s life and teachings are seen through the eyes of the director Jan Schmidt-Garre on his search for authentic yoga. His journey leads him from the legendary students and relatives of Krishnamacharya?s to the source of modern yoga, at the palace of the Maharaja of Mysore. From Pattabhi Jois Jan learns the ?Sun salutation?, from Iyengar the ?King of Asanas?, the headstand, and finally Sribhashyam reveals to him his father?s secret ?Life Saving Yoga Session?.