Iyanla Vanzant, spiritual teacher and television personality, leads the viewer through the what, how, and why of prayer.

ACT Yoga founder Marshawn Feltus tells the story about how he got into yoga during his time in prison.

Afro Flow Yoga founders Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff Jones perform a mix of dance, music, yoga, and spirituality.

Weight loss guru Jon Gabriel offers his perspective on healthy, sustainable weight loss, with an emphasis on certain key foods.

Master Mingtong Gu offers an introduction to the practice of qigong.

The initial idea that was presented to me was to simply get sound bites from the residents at KTD Monastery to help fundraise. But as I started filming, it quickly occurred to me that the B-roll was more personable and endearing. I continued filming rehearsed speech but secretly put more effort into making the residents laugh.

An effective fundraising video connects with people on an emotional level. What I wanted in the end was to show the true character of the organization and the people who keep it running.

This is an on-the-ground perspective of a Tibetan Buddhist practice performed at KTD Monastery each year on Losar—the Tibetan New Year. This is not an instructional video; there is no voice over or on-screen text to help you understand what you’re watching. I had never experienced this practice before—I didn’t know what was happening—and neither does the viewer. The point of view is from my own eyes.