The Making of a Transformational Film – Suzanne Bryant searches for what Yoga Is
By Dale Nieli
Because Yoga was a powerful saving grace in her life during moments when she felt raw and vulnerable, Suzanne Bryant wanted to share that experience with others by producing a film that has a healing power for anyone seeking solace in their lives. The result is the feature documentary, Yoga Is. It explores Suzanne’s journey with the practice while traveling the world seeking insight from inspirational teachers. The film is a powerful demonstration of the impact of transformational film on the life of the filmmaker and the audience.
Dale Nieli: What brought about the epiphany when you felt, “I have to make a movie?”
Suzanne Bryant: After my mom passed away when I was 36, I went to New York for the summer. I was practicing yoga every day outside under the trees. I remember the exact moment. During my sun salutations, I looked up and there was a beautiful breeze coming through the trees. Getting teary, I was thinking, “Wow, this practice is powerful for me. There are so many people who have challenges in life: losing a parent, relationship, job, financial stress, general anxiety, or depression. Wouldn’t it be inspiring if I made a film with famous teachers, whom we love listening to, talking about life, love, truth, happiness, transformation, and the whole process that happens.”
I actually saw it. I saw the film. I saw the title. I saw the people in it. I saw the music and I kept visualizing it. Every single person that I wanted in the film is in the film.
Dale: You are my guru for vision boarding.
SB: I believe in vision boarding. I do it every day.
Dale: What inspired you to utilize the medium of film as opposed to writing a book?
SB: The film that inspired me was “What the Bleep Do We Know!?” It opened the gates for these types of films. For me, the most powerful quote from Bleep was, “Quantum physics is simply the science of possibilities.”
At first, while making Yoga Is, I wasn’t going to put myself in the film. I was going to announce my journey and then just put everyone else in back to back. But I showed it to some people who said, “You need to put yourself in so people can connect themselves to your journey.” It was challenging to decide how much to reveal and how open to be.
Dale: How has your yoga practice changed as a result of this experience?
SB: While making this movie, I traveled to India and learned about Bhakti Yoga (the practice of devotion), chanting, and the pujas (prayer services). Since then, every morning, I meditate, practice mantra, and do a puja ceremony at my house in front of my Ganesha statue and altar in my home.
Dale: What are some of the most powerful responses you’ve heard from people related to the film?
SB: One man emailed me to say he had lost his son and dad in the past few months. He stumbled upon my film and said that watching it is the one thing he does every day as a ritual to give him strength. A woman told me that she got divorced and lost her job. She is raising two kids and she turns to the film several days a week just to stay strong.
Another woman wrote about her daughter’s death; she and her husband have been watching Yoga Is every night for one year. They said it creates a warm energy in their room. This was exactly what I wanted—to produce a film that is healing.
On a more positive note, one guy wrote, “I’ve always wanted to follow my dreams but I was afraid to so. Now, after watching your film I’m inspired and I’m going to go after my dreams.”
Dale: I want to ask you the question you have asked others: Yoga is…..
SB: Yoga is my life. And yoga is bliss. I am so grateful for this path because no matter what happens, I can face anything that comes my way and find peace and beauty.
Dale Nieli is a yoga teacher and fitness consultant whose decades of study provide continual inspiration: zenbodies.com.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.