Of Yoga and Sharks

by Rob Stewart

My name is Rob Stewart. I’ve recently completed a feature film entitled Sharkwater, a documentary about man’s relationship with sharks that was filmed in 15 countries over a period of 4 years. It is a conservation film that details the plight of the oceans, revealing sharks to be vitally important for life on earth.

Sharkwater began as a beautiful underwater movie that aimed to portray sharks in a more positive light, but through the epic journey the film evolved into, we faced corrupt governments, espionage, arrests, attempted murder charges, pirate battles, and hospitalizations, all in an attempt to bring people to a greater understanding of our connection and dependence upon the natural world.

Since childhood I’ve used my yoga and pranayama practice to freedive (breath hold diving ) so that I could lower my heart rate and metabolism so that I could film sharks. As a biologist and photographer, I witnessed the destruction of the oceans first hand, driving the creation of Sharkwater.

Sharkwater started out as a grass roots project, in conjunction with conservation groups such as Wildaid and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and has gained momentum. Sharkwater launched at the Toronto International Film Festival, winning one of the top ten films in Canada this year, and has gone on to win 10 prestigious awards, including numerous “people’s choice” awards at some of the biggest festivals in the world. Audiences are really responding well to the film. It’s the most award winning documentary release this year. Sharkwater hits theatres across Canada March 23th, 2007.

Please have a look at the trailer, and website, www.sharkwater.com.

We’re living at a crossroads, where human’s survival on the planet is in jeopardy. Fortunately, we have the ability to change, and support a new relationship with the natural world. This film has the power to start the movement, so please join us in seeing the film opening weekend, and increase the chances that the message will be heard, and that sharks, the oceans, and humans, can survive on the planet. I am incredibly grateful for your support.

Stay tuned to Everything Yoga in the coming months for a podcast interview where I will discuss some of my effective yoga positions that have help me dive with sharks.

Rob Stewart, born in Toronto, Canada, is an award-winning wildlife photographer and the director of Sharkwater.

Stewart began photographing underwater when he was 13. He became a certified scuba instructor trainer at age 18, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario, and has studied Marine Biology and Zoology at universities in Kenya and Jamaica.

Stewart spent four years traveling the world as the chief photographer for the Canadian Wildlife Federation magazines, and has logged thousands of hours underwater, using the latest in rebreather and camera technologies.

His work underwater and on land has appeared in nearly every media form worldwide, from BBC Wildlife, Asian Diver, Outpost and GEO magazines to the Discovery Channels, ABC, BBC, night clubs and feature films.

Sharkwater has won 15 international awards and has brought the attention of the world to the horrendous environmental crimes and wasteful practices of shark finning. Sharkwater made its theatrical debut in Canada this year and broke all Canadian documentary box office records. As writer, director, and producer of Sharkwater, Stewart was recently presented with the Peter Benchly award for shark conservation. Stewart continues to shed light on unsustainable fishing practices and ocean conservation.