Emma Balnaves is an internationally respected teacher of Shadow Yoga, one of the traditional forms and philosophies of Hatha Yoga. She has been teaching since 1998 and is the co-founder of Shadow Yoga. Emma was introduced to yoga in her early teens when she became intrigued by the mystery of the practices and the feelings they evoked inside her. After graduating in visual communication, majoring in photography at the University of Adelaide and working in the creative arts in Sydney, New York, and London, Emma committed herself to a life of teaching yoga. Decades of in-depth study followed with research in yoga, Ayurveda and other internal arts. Emma began incorporating the full spectrum of the yogic process in her teaching. Since 1998 Emma began extensive travel – teaching and training internationally with her husband, Sundernath. In 2019, Emma completed her first film Agniyogana, a documentary inspired by a desire to present a better understanding of all aspects of the practice.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Since I was young I loved the imagery, taking photos, filming and making theatre with friends to tell a story. I wished to inspire others on the path of life to recognise themselves and from the personal experience of being touched through visual story telling.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
Yes, through story telling on a creative and inspiration level. it is through our eyes we see form, hear form and are touched deeply through the power of visual story telling. Cinema has the power to send messages into society and tell real stories of the times we live.
-What would you change in the world?
As the world changes, we need to learn how to adapt, this is how we grow as individuals.
–Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Beyond the screen and the space of one’s dwelling.
