As I’m sitting here writing my paper following 3 weeks of wonderful journey through the

world of Pranayama, Chanting & Yoga Sutra, once again I’m overwhelmed by the notion that
nothing happens by chance and nothing happens at the wrong time.

I’m trying to gather my fasting brain’s thoughts around the vastness of new info into a coherent
essay, drawing parallels between my world as a Muslim woman and a woman interested in
Yoga, as we still have two days to Eid al Fitr (Muslim Biggest Celebration) which marks the end
of Ramadan (fast from sunrise to sunset every day for a duration of a lunar month). It’s far from
easy, and definitely takes strong self-motivation and discipline, so I feel it’s also an exercise in
honoring notions of Tapas -one of five branches of Niyamas -the 2nd limb (orign from Vedic
period but more in a Jainism way- by not being slaves to our passions- be it foodgasm, orgasm
or consumerism (also related to Zuhd in Islam, touched on below).

In a life of a Muslim Worshipper (aka a Peaceful Spiritual Warrior), this is not just a month-long
physical test in intermittent fasting. We slow down –lots of meditation and dhikr (chanting), lots
of prayers (linked to asanas below), trying to listen and connect to our body’s natural rhythm
and detox mentally, as well as physically through ritual fasting.

In Islam, we pursue many beliefs that coincide very closely to Patanjali’s 8 limbs. Aparigraha,
the last Yama (Moral guides or the 1st limb) refers to striving towards ‘non-attachment’. Also can
translate into not having certain expectations in order to avoid disappointment (on and off the
mat-as well as the praying mat), and also embracing change as the only certainty. I connect it
with notion of Zuhd in Islam. The Prophet Mohammed pbuh, said, “Be in this world as if you
were a stranger or a traveler along a path.” This encourages us to practice Zuhd (sustainability)
in this life, living in the moment, without excessive baggage, without acting while expecting
something in return- fame or excessive fortunes as this feeds the Ego and makes us overly
attached to this world. Parallels feel especially amplified during this fasting month with another
Yama – Brahmacharia as well.

What’s interesting, as I mentioned above, we normally pray five times a day. Now talking about
Asanas, (be it as a meditation pose or for standing/ balancing/ inverted/ twisting) Muslims
actually have a pre-designed “Vinyasa Flow” or Salah (The Prayer) we must do five times a day
(at Sunrise, Midday, Afternoon, Sunset and Late evening). I jokingly call it the Vinyasa Prayer
because how great is it to be taught by out Prophet 1400 year ago to control the movement, the
breathing and the chanting in a gentle and synchronized flow that equally strengthens and
calms our mind, and stretches our body as well as our heart? In Ramadhan, prayer is
encouraged even further, praying at night, adding raqaas (praying positions or prostrations-
starting with standing pose similar to Samasthiti, moving on with / Ardha Uttanasana/
Utkatasana/ Shashtaangasana/ Simhasana/ and finishing with ardha matsyendrasana) longer
verses from Qur’an and dhikr on the prayer mat afterwards (chanting), etc. This practice is not a
gentle recommendation- in Islam performing your “prayer” regularly is considered of outmost
importance and some go as far to say if one doesn’t “flow/pray” regularly they run a risk of
negating their religion.

To make the best mental and physical benefit out of movement during Salat, we do wudoo’
properly (ritual cleaning of the body-in repetitions of 3, first right then left sides), wear
comfortable but beautiful tidy clothes (preferably not pajamas or old ripped college shirt) we
straighten up and lengthen the spine. Back not arching but straight, stomach activated,
shoulders and chest open. This ensures proper oxygen flow and stretching during Salah moves,
and maintains strong khushu (Khushu is defined as the tranquillity of the heart and the
calmness of the organs, also taming of the Ego) and prevents yawning.

In conclusion, we also believe that levels of our Imaan (belief of the heart) fluctuate. We are
human and influenced by many factors. It is kind to be kind to one self not just to others, and
accept our shortcomings, and limitations, and strive to achieve the virtue of deeds. Similarly,
one can have a bad day or a really good day in our ashtanga practice-indicators that some of
the small but crucial daily steps to protect a strong practice have been skipped or neglected,
which leads to lesser practice/prayer. I always like to remember to be kind and loving and
forgiving, first to myself and my body, as well as the others.

Om Shānti Shānti Shānti and Assalamo Alaikom