Yoga, for me, is a gateway to feel good in my body, so that I can get things done.
When my body feels good, grounded in well being, I am able to accomplish anything I put my mind to.
I strive to create this feeling for my students. The Body and Mind are intrinsically connected, yet in this modern world, they have become grossly disconnected - Yoga is the link that connects the two. There is a sense of equilibrium and a trusting in one’s intuition after practicing for a period of time.
I discovered Yoga in the mid 90's while living in New York City. I was struggling to find balance while paving my budding career in Textile Design. I found myself sitting more, glaring at a computer screen for 8-9 hours a day, and I began to feel it in my body. At that time, I thought joining a gym was the solution, so I did. However, I had a petite and lithe Indian co-worker who moved around the office with ease, grace, and most of all Strength.
I want that!
I asked her how she got to be strong. She uttered: YOGA!
Having never been exposed to YOGA up until then, I became curious to try it out. During that time, in the mid 90’s, when I found Yoga, New York City was a fertile breeding ground for many sprouting styles of Yoga which radiated to all other parts of the country - The concentration of which was were I was living. Yoga studios and their traditional styles where available to me at walking distance or a train ride away. After my first 2 classes, the fire (AGNI: Digestive Fire in Sanskrit) had been lit and I was thirsty to learn more and more. I tried it all from traditional Hatha Yoga, Jivamukti, Integral, Kundalini, Iyengar, Anusara, Ashtanga and more.
My first class was at a studio in Brooklyn close to where I lived. On a rainy night, I tiptoed my way into a class. Not expecting what I was in for - afterward, it felt like I had fallen into a new universe of opportunity to develop my sense of self and body awareness. Every class felt like a renewal and a recognition of my true self. I felt seen, but not judged.
These days my practice is lead by how I am feeling vs. trying so hard to fit in.
There is a sense of equilibrium and a trusting in one’s intuition after practicing for a period of time.
During this pandemic, I especially value her calm, loving presentation. After class, I feel connected back to the part of me that is resilient and capable, because the breathing and the poses brought me back into the present moment and to my center. During these days, the benefits of yoga are essential. Shireen understands this and her classes are a point of physical and mental unity taught with kindness and a depth of knowledge and compassion.
- Nancy
My Personal Journey
As a young girl growing up until the age of 7 in Tehran, Iran, my Mom enrolled me in ballet classes. I was, and felt stiff as a board while other girls were able to perform straddle splits and back bends. I sat in the back and did not want to be seen. I didn't get to know the teacher. Later on in elementary school, after we immigrated to the U.S., my mom enrolled me in gymnastics at the local Y for semi-private classes with my younger sister. Our teacher was attentive and sincere and made sure we were in good form.
When we moved to another suburb further out in Greater Boston, I enrolled once again in gymnastics. This time, however, things were more competitive and my blossoming prepubescent body felt shy and exposed when it came to the “performance” and competitive aspect of the discipline. I felt uncomfortable being seen as my body was changing. I chalked it up as simply not being athletic. The 2nd year I “tried out” for the team, I didn't make it. Despite my mom's encouraging efforts for me to be physically active, I felt like I was never going to be strong or limber enough. I never felt like I had a natural or physical talent in that arena – oh but wait – Now I am a Yoga teacher and to you, my dear students and readers, I may seem strong, limber, and supple.