Many DVDs and films document the traditional yoga of Krishnamacharya, Pattabhi Jois and B. K. S. Iyengar. Here is a selection of films and filmed teachings.
Krishnamacharya and the origins of modern yoga
Breath of the Gods, a film by Jan Schmidt-Garre (35 mm, 105 min). It follows the life and teaching of T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989) to the palace of the Maharajah of Mysore, where his famous students and relatives reveal a practice that is far more than physical exercise — featuring B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, T. K. Sribhashyam and archival footage of Krishnamacharya. (trailer)
A Hundred Years of Bliss — Chennai, November 1988: for his hundredth birthday, one hundred and eight Brahmin priests celebrate Krishnamacharya. The festivities alternate with his practice and teaching, illustrated with archives. A film by Jean-François Dars and Anne Papillault, © CNRS Images 2005. (excerpt)
Ashtanga Yoga (Sri K. Pattabhi Jois)
Guru (2006, directed by Robert Wilkins, 28 min + extras, English): a rare look into the life of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, then 90 — his lifelong devotion to yoga and his relationship with his Western students.
Mysore Magic: Yoga the Source (2012, directed by R. Alexander Medin).
- Ashtanga Yoga, Series I, II, III & IV — beautiful videos of Guruji teaching (filmed 11 June 1989 by Tom Sewell, tomsewell.com).
- Yoga on Maui, with Tim Miller (mauiyoga.com).
- Yoga, with Richard Freeman — the first series with great grace, clear instructions (126 min + 96-page booklet) (yogaworkshop.com).
- The Practice, with David Swenson (Series I, then II & III).
B. K. S. Iyengar
Official website: bksiyengar.com.
Iyengar Intensive at Estes Park (Yoga Journal, 5-DVD set): over 25 hours of B. K. S. Iyengar’s teaching filmed at the 2005 Estes Park Conference — three āsana classes, prāṇāyāma classes, Q&A, keynote and master classes with senior teachers. An essential document for Iyengar students and teachers.
