When I first watched Yogis of Ukraine, I had no idea how deeply it would impact me—not just as a viewer, but as an artist. The film’s power, its raw emotional depth, and its portrayal of women using yoga as a tool for resilience in war left an unforgettable impression.
I knew I had to contribute something meaningful to this project. What began as a viewing experience transformed into a creative vision—one that ultimately became the official artwork for the book and film poster.
A Journey from Viewer to Producer
In August 2024, I found myself in Boulder, Colorado, visiting from the UK.
💡 I had heard of Bob Degus—his Hollywood career and extraordinary filmmaking talent—but this was our first meeting. Alexandra and I had known each other for years, and she invited me to a private screening of Yogis of Ukraine.
That evening, I sat in a small living room, watching the film with Bob and Alexandra.
It was the most inspiring and powerful documentary I had ever seen.
The film completely redefined my understanding of Kundalini Yoga—not just as a practice, but as a lifeline in the middle of war.
I was so moved that I immediately joined Alexandra’s practice, jumping into an intense five-hour daily Kundalini Yoga routine.
🚀 The results?
My memory improved, my focus sharpened, my energy levels skyrocketed—all unexpected benefits that made me an unintentional case study in Kundalini Yoga’s transformative power.
The story behind the Yogis of Ukraine book & film artwork: The Light That Guided the Artwork
While the film itself was life-changing, it was reading an early draft of the Yogis of Ukraine book that solidified my vision.
📖 The book contains transcripts of interviews Bob conducted in Ukraine—stories that didn’t all make it into the documentary.
🔥 Harrowing yet hopeful, tragic yet inspiring, it painted a vivid picture of women becoming beacons of light in the darkest times.
One image kept returning to me:
💡 A lighthouse—standing strong in the storm, guiding the lost to safety.
Bob had an initial design for the book cover, but I saw something different.
Bringing the Vision to Life: A Woman as a Lighthouse
Shortly after leaving Boulder, I found myself in Tampa, Florida.
There, I began sketching the vision that had formed in my mind:
🌊 A lighthouse as the focal point—symbolizing strength, resilience, and guidance.
🧘♀️ A woman standing in a powerful yoga pose—graceful yet unshakable.
🇺🇦 Draped in the vibrant blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag—representing the women’s unwavering spirit.
That sketch became the final book cover—a piece of art that visually captures the essence of Yogis of Ukraine, and eventually the poster.
🛡️ Just as a lighthouse leads ships to safety, these women stand as beacons of light—guiding their communities through war with strength, courage, and hope.
More Than Just a Cover—A Symbol of Strength
The women in this film and book don’t just practice yoga—they embody its highest teachings.
✔ They stand tall in the face of war.
✔ They radiate light amid devastation.
✔ They prove that resilience is not just about surviving—it’s about inspiring others to rise.
That’s what I wanted the artwork to represent. And that is the story behind the Yogis of Ukraine book & film artwork.
💡 Light. Strength. An unyielding spirit that refuses to be dimmed.
Every time I look at the cover, I see the women of Ukraine—standing like lighthouses, holding space for peace, healing, and transformation.
✨ And that, to me, is the heart of Yogis of Ukraine.