Annie Q Syed » Yoga http://annieqsyed.com Trial of Words: Writings and Fragments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:58:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ yoga versus yoga: my obiter dicta http://annieqsyed.com/2012/01/yoga-versus-yoga-my-obiter-dicta/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://annieqsyed.com/2012/01/yoga-versus-yoga-my-obiter-dicta/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:10:26 +0000 annie http://annieqsyed.com/?p=2599 “I came to yoga not on a journey of personal transformation, but because I put my back out and couldn’t sit comfortably in a chair,” begins Claire Dederer in an article, “My Truce With Yoga” in the October issue of Whole Living magazine. I timely came across this article that sheds light on the 6 billion dollar yoga industry. I share some excerpts that highlight my concerns:

 I thought yoga was for self-indulgent, middle-aged ladies with time on their hands, or for fanatical vegetarian former gymnasts.

As I researched studios around Seattle, I noticed that yoga came in a dizzying array of flavors and strengths, often at opposite ends of a spiritual spectrum. At some studios, akin to stylish gyms, ...]]> http://annieqsyed.com/2012/01/yoga-versus-yoga-my-obiter-dicta/feed/ 5 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ To balance upside down in the dark http://annieqsyed.com/2011/10/to-balance-upside-down-in-the-dark/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://annieqsyed.com/2011/10/to-balance-upside-down-in-the-dark/#comments Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:49:57 +0000 annie http://annieqsyed.com/?p=2485 Long before the yoga studio where I have to be a member in order to attend Marco Rojas’s classes hopped on board with “blindfolded yoga” as the newest yoga trend, Marco used to teach yoga with eyes closed. He began this because one particular time during class he had a sight-impaired student. Marco decided that we should all experience the poses with our eyes closed.

The first time I experienced yoga with my eyes closed, I cheated. I didn’t trust myself. What if I was on someone else’s mat? What if I fell? What if I was doing everything wrong? Out of respect for Marco I stopped peeking and shut my eyes for good, and because I trusted him as ...]]> http://annieqsyed.com/2011/10/to-balance-upside-down-in-the-dark/feed/ 3 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ be all your infinite selves: the vajra cross http://annieqsyed.com/2011/04/be-all-your-infinite-selves-the-vajra-cross/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://annieqsyed.com/2011/04/be-all-your-infinite-selves-the-vajra-cross/#comments Fri, 29 Apr 2011 05:18:37 +0000 annie http://annieqsyed.com/?p=2257 One thing you learn if you have a consistent yoga practice is how often your body and emotions shift in a given twenty-four hours.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday when I attended Marco Rojas’ yoga classes I was ecstatic to discover my synchronized breathing with the yoga postures. I welcomed a new strength in my flexibility which felt beyond ‘natural’: it was grounded, not merely stretchy.

Tuesday there is no yoga class.

Wednesday around 2:oo p.m. I began sensing this tightness shoot up and around like a grapevine hugging my legs. My adductor group of muscles around the hips coiled into an unexpected stiffness within a span of an hour.  Around 3:oo p.m. I contained a completely different set ...]]> http://annieqsyed.com/2011/04/be-all-your-infinite-selves-the-vajra-cross/feed/ 2 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ Marco Rojas so far… http://annieqsyed.com/2011/01/marco-rojas-so-far/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://annieqsyed.com/2011/01/marco-rojas-so-far/#comments Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:20:04 +0000 annie http://annieqsyed.com/?p=2063 I have found it very challenging for many years to write about Marco Rojas, my yoga instructor, although I have mentioned his influence on my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development on several occasions when I write on Sundays.

I realize I am very blessed to have my path cross his through yoga and that is why I feel this compelling urge to transcribe the gift of freedom he offers us during practice to share with others.

But to avoid redundancy and the already very non-linear nature of yoga I gathered all that I have written about him so far. See below. If you read “Still Sundays” then you have ...]]> http://annieqsyed.com/2011/01/marco-rojas-so-far/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ Top 10 Reasons For 30 Days of Yoga http://annieqsyed.com/2010/05/top-10-reasons-to-try-30-days-of-yoga/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://annieqsyed.com/2010/05/top-10-reasons-to-try-30-days-of-yoga/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 03:50:08 +0000 annie http://annieqsyed.com/?p=847 You know the hoo-haa about how yoga can change your life? Well, that is nothing compared to building your own home yoga practice.

Before I begin I want to put it on the record: what follows are my opinions and Marianne (also known as ZenPeacekeeper) didn’t even know I am writing this. This is my way of expressing my gratitude to her and spreading word about how original and beneficial her “30 Days of Yoga” is.

I tried the 30 days of yoga because I had been out of regular practice since August of 2009. Due to being bicoastal and transcontinental I did not have access to my regular yoga instructor or studio in NYC. And I can’t ...]]> http://annieqsyed.com/2010/05/top-10-reasons-to-try-30-days-of-yoga/feed/ 5 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/