Independent filmmaking
“You have to have the heart of a poet and the skin of an elephant.”
- Mira Nair
Sandi’s Filmography
Jhaptal (In Progress)
Directed by Sandi Higgins
— Producer, Director, CinematographerDaiji (2026)
Directed by Akash Srivatsa
— ActressThe Interpreter (2005)
Directed by Sydney Pollack
— Cinematographer’s Assistant and ActressThe Corporation (2004)
Directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott
— Additional VideographerPersona Non Grata (2003)
Directed by Oliver Stone
— Production AssistantComandante (2003)
Directed by Oliver Stone
— Production Assistant
Born and raised in the United States, with a few formative years in France, Sandi Higgins is a filmmaker, actress, writer and yoga teacher whose work moves between cultures, languages and creative forms. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, her work spans major international films with Academy Award-winning directors, as well as grassroots multimedia productions for independent artists and cultural and humanitarian organizations. Sandi’s engagement with Indian film and culture began within New York City’s Indian diaspora. As trauma and burnout within the film industry drew her more deeply into Yoga practice and philosophy, this artistic and spiritual gravitational pull led her to India for the first time in 2007; and thereafter into a lifelong relationship with its ancient ideas and living practice. Years of studying, practicing, living and working in India, with a focus on yoga, music, and Indian heritage, have turned her back to filmmaking, bringing the journey full circle.
Currently In Progress:
JHAPTAL
JHAPTAL A Documentary In Ten Beats explores the study of Music as a meditative practice for transforming the mind, like a martial art of creative improvisation, according to the Guru-disciple tradition of Shastriya Sangeet, popularly known as Indian Classical Music. In conversation with master musicians, their disciples, and more, JHAPTAL shares a dynamic introduction to the creative principles of Raga & Tala and to the cross-cultural questions that emerge from studying this ancient, oral tradition in today's global context.
The full research and production for JHAPTAL encompasses about 100 interviews, concerts, class recordings, and candid moments with musicians and collaborators back stage, on stage, and off stage across three continents!
The documentary offers a multicultural introduction to Indian Classical Music. It mainly focuses on the North Indian tradition and highlights the instruments of: Vocal, Tabla, Sitar, Sarangi, Sarod, Santoor, Mohan Veena, and Kathak Dance. Some incredible South Indian artists have also been interviewed.
However, the heartbeat of this film lies in the hands of the Tabla players and percussionists.
Several Pandits and Ustads of the Tabla have been interviewed for JHAPTAL, including:
Akram Khan
Aneesh Pradhan
Anindo Chatterjee
Anuradha Pal
Kumar Bose
Kumar Lal Mishra (-2019)
Pooran Maharaj
Subhankar Bannerjee (1966-2021)
Swapan Chaudhury
Taufiq Qureshi
with special appearance by Zakir Hussain (1951-2024)
Aquamarine is the color where the green of the heart chakra meets the blue of the throat chakra — where inner wisdom finds its voice and self-expression.
Aquamarine Yoga is a nexus for yoga learning and a creative force for its communication.
We aim to share stories, ancient and contemporary, of great yogis, living traditions and the many ways Yoga moves beyond the mat into our lives, art, and relationships.
Our purpose is to explore and express dharma in creative ways.
As the founder of Aquamarine Yoga, my first path was filmmaking and theater. Difficult and traumatic experiences within the film industry led me to Ashtanga Yoga, where I found healing, discipline and transformation.
Now, years of practice, study and teaching are pointing me back to filmmaking, theater, and storytelling: to communicate creatively with yogic purpose, spiritual power and a deeper appreciation for how stories are crafted, why they matter, and what they can awaken in our awareness and call into action.
Thank you for being a part of this journey to create and share real yoga stories of transformation!
Do you have a yoga story you want to share? Get in touch today!
Love,
Sandi H.
“Le film de demain sera un acte d’amour [The film of tomorrow will be an act of love].”
— François Truffaut