In Queens, Clearing a Path Between Yoga and Islam

• rabbit
• nyc

As another NYC Muslim who works on immigration issues, I am glad to see Mr Rashid take this position and promote something of spiritual and health value, even though it is very understandable that we would want to replace the specifically Hindu cultural and religious aspects with universal elements. 

However, I would admit that similar universalizing efforts have tried to "translate" Sufi ritual practices into something beyond a particular religion, shaping a profound system of postures and breathing connected to invocations and prayer -- as a Muslim I have very mixed feelings about this deconstruction. Might not a Hindu feel the same?

The proof is in the pudding.

As for Imam Qayyoom, I appreciate his comments here. He should be cautious however in dealing with other imams, or he will play a divisive force in his community. When some of us chose to boycott the Mayor's interfaith breakfast, he was free to disagree but it was regrettable that he called us "extremists" which is a very charged term for describing Muslims.

Exploring prayer as a fully somatic experience like Yoga may indeed be beneficial. To deeply understand inner (and outer) unity at least a little, let us see through the veils of fear and judgementalism.

• Meena Modi
• Ridgewood

It takes courage to break out of the mold and try something different and "alien". So I really appreciate the courage shown by the imams. Mahasri Yoga's home page features a poem by Hafiz.

Many of us in the yoga world read, learn, and reflect upon Sufi teachings. A different perspective can help shed light on something that was still dark. I see a great deal of overlap between the two. It is hardly surprising because we share a common humanity and Spirit--our essence of Being is the same. Praying five times and the positions adopted are to me a form of yoga (communion with the divine self within). It creates balance, a harmonious rhythm, between the human and the spiritual aspects of being. Wearing tight and revealing clothing was never part of yoga in India 30 years ago. Modesty was absolutely essential, it still is in traditional yoga classes.

On Good Friday, my various friends went to church, celebrated Passover with Seder, and observed Mahavir Jayanti, all coincided on the same day. If all creation, all life is the work of the divine, then all religions are also a divine expression of guidance. Will we willfully reject and revile one and embrace another of the divine aspect? Can we not respect them all?

• Lescar
• France

Unfortunately, much of organized religion is about establishing, maintaining and enforcing engrained thought patterns.