Reflecting on the award, Thai Phien shared that his initial thoughts were not of personal joy, but of the sweat, tears, and even the grimaces of pain endured by the women featured in the book.

Behind the 133 photographs in the collection lies a grueling journey of training, sleepless aching nights, and above all, the courage to overcome hesitation and vulnerability. These women went beyond simply modeling - they surrendered themselves to yoga and art in their purest forms.

“They are not just models,” Thai Phien emphasized. “They are elite yoga warriors who have transcended their bodily limits to create poses that are not only beautiful and unique but also physically dangerous in front of the camera. They are extraordinary yoga ambassadors. I am deeply grateful to the 15 female yoga instructors who bravely took part. Their physical grace, spiritual strength, and sacrifices are the boundless inspiration behind Sunlight behind the curtain.”

The photographer revealed that the concept of yoga art nude began forming during the lockdown days in Saigon at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic - a time when society became more conscious of mental health and physical well-being. As a yoga enthusiast, Thai Phien was captivated by the elegant strength of the female form expressed through yoga postures.

But capturing that beauty on camera was anything but easy.

“There have been countless brilliant photographers in the world who have captured yoga. Creating something new was incredibly difficult,” he said. “Throughout the process, I focused on reimagining basic asanas and presenting the subtle beauty of yoga from my own perspective. Each photo was crafted to convey a unique story or emotion.”

“This project,” he continued, “was my way of preserving peaceful moments of yoga practitioners during those dark, uncertain days. Sunlight filtering through the curtains illuminated quiet corners of a room, symbolizing hope and belief in a brighter future. This isn’t just a photography book - it’s a message about optimism and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit in adversity.”