Have you ever wondered how yoga came to the West? The new feature documentary AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda examines the life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. The Indian Swami brought meditation and yoga in the 1920s, authored Autobiography of a Yogi, selling millions of copies and capturing the love of celebrities like Russell Simmons.

Why have his teachings resonated? They encouraged selflessness, disengaging with the world, and asked for unity.

The film examines yoga from the ancient to the present. Packed with interviews, taking viewers on holy pilgrimages in India, this unique experience should be on all yogis’ radars.

Director and CounterPoint Films founder Paola di Florio said felt compelled to tell Yogananda’s journey.

“It seemed that modern science was finally catching up with the ancient yogis of the Indus Valley.  And it couldn’t have come a moment too soon.  Given the destructive potential of the Atomic age, Yogananda realized it was high time for the masses to embrace these teachings of brotherhood and understanding… how we all emerge from a common ocean of consciousness.  The more I read Yogananda’s writings, the more I knew I needed to make this film.  And, in doing so, the lines between science and spirituality began to blur.”

For more about AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda click here.