While yoga is a discipline that goes beyond the mat, the time-lapse yoga videos featured in this article capture the elegance and strength of the physical yoga practice. The videos were created by (and feature) Meghan Currie, a yoga teacher in Vancouver who never struggles to fill her classes; in fact, students are advised to show up early to ensure they can even get a spot in the room.
It’s rare to see a fusion of yoga and digital media, particularly when the content is coming from an individual rather than a brand. Meghan Currie has fully embraced the power of online video, however, creating everything from time-lapse videos of her personal practice in her bedroom, to time-lapse power classes in a packed yoga studio. She pairs each video with music according to movement type, creating transfixing pieces of media that showcase the magnificence of the human form.
The poses the experienced yogini is able to take with her body are impressive, and her classes are creative and challenging to mind, body and spirit. But yoga is about more than just striking cool poses, getting toned or being part of a community.
“It empowers people to learn to be their own healer,” Meghan says in one of her videos. “To work through their own stuff and to see their own beauty. Yoga helps people to transform because it calls for self-observation. You never stop learning; it’s never over.”
According to the Yoga Business Academy, 1 out of 10 Americans practice yoga, and almost 30% are men. Since everyone’s yoga practice is unique, the definitions and purpose for practice will vary, but traditionally yoga was used to cultivate a state of peace and connectedness to prepare for deep meditation. The word ‘yoga’ itself means union. In the video below, Meghan explains what yoga means to her:
Meghan’s popular time-lapse yoga videos illustrate the potential new technologies and media bring to a tradition as ancient as yoga. These technologies can compress an hour long yoga session into minutes, and they can display the remarkable aesthetic of people moving and breathing in sync with one another. What’s more they can inspire people from all over the world, and create a sense of awe and wonder.
Other innovative examples of time-lapse yoga
Meghan Currie isn’t the only user to upload time-lapse yoga videos. Another interesting video taken back in 2008 features some of the world’s top yoga teachers performing 108 “sun salutations” to benefit the Yoga Aid London Challenge 2008 for charity. The resulting time-lapse compressed just under three hours of yoga asanas into slightly less than three minutes of footage.
Phillip Askew is another digital creative who makes timelapse yoga videos, including this one filmed like an animated mandala, and the following video featuring a male yogi practicing vinyasa yoga in various places.
Have you seen any other innovative time-lapse videos? What do you think it is about them that makes them so captivating?