"Awake: The Life of Yogananda" wants to do two things: introduce Paramahansa Yogananda, who imported yoga and meditation to the United States, to a wider audience. And provide us with a mystical experience of sorts.

Sometimes these goals get in each other’s way in this reverential, yet long-overdue documentary, which examines a figure who came to America in the 1920s and went on to inspire people around the world.

Directors Paola Di Florio and Lisa Leeman have lots to work with here: excellent archival footage and a bevy of testimonials from such luminaries as Deepak Chopra and the late George Harrison. (Copies of Yogananda’s book were handed out at Steve Jobs’ memorial service.) Though some of these commentaries come off as cheerleader-ish, for the most part they are interesting and provide useful context.

‘AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA’ Not rated Opens Friday at Kahala 8

Less consistent are the re-enactments from Yogananda’s life, as well as stylized mystical images accompanied by narrated readings of his work. At times, these segments are distracting, as we hunger for more information about who this man was. In the end, we don’t get a three-dimensional portrait as much as an affirmation of his beliefs.

Nevertheless, this is a film that works both for followers and for those interested in knowing what yoga is truly about. Hint: It’s not about six-pack abs.