With Eid approaching next week, our teacher Maryam has two insightful gems to share with us from her experience of yoga, fasting, and Ramadhan.
First, her family recipe for a pudding called Sheer Khurma, made with dried fruits, milk and vermicelli. And second, some thoughts on how, when and why to practice yoga if you are fasting during Ramadan. Over to Maryam…
“Hello, Umbrella family! This is a recipe that is made every Eid after Ramadhan. Many communities make different versions of ‘siviyan’ on Eid, this one is from my Dawoodi Bohra community and how my family like it. Sheer Khurma is moreish and feels so nourishing after a month of fasting. We generally have this as part of our breakfast on Eid morning. It is also served to any guests or family who pop by as well. Most of these ingredients you can find at your local supermarket, but a few items such as the dried dates and coconut might need a visit to your local Asian shop. I hope you try it out and let me know your thoughts!
Serves 2-3 people
1 tsp ghee/clarified butter
½ cup vermicelli chopped into fine pieces (siviyan)
10 almonds sliced
2 tbsp raisins
2 tsp pistachios chopped
2 tbsp dry coconut chopped/sliced
5 dried dates chopped (kharak)
Option – can also add dried figs to your dried fruit mix if you like!
Option- can add 1 tbsp sugar to your dried fruit mix if you like it a bit sweeter
1 ¼ litre milk
½ tsp cardamom powder
2-3 tbsp condensed milk (can add more if you’d like it sweeter or haven’t used sugar earlier)
¼ cup evaporated milk
Option- can add a chopped mango once it’s cooled if you like it cold!”
Ok – now for the yoga part. Maryam says…
“Want to do some Yoga but not sure what or how would be best when you’re fasting this Ramadhan? Here’s 3 ways Yoga can help:
- Physical Practice: physical postures help relieve pain from sitting/kneeling/being in sajda/even sleeping for longer periods than usual. They can also help with releasing energy if you feel like moving but don’t want a full body workout when fasting.
Postures such as forward fold, seated staff pose, low lunge, seated or reclined twist or butterfly, legs up a wall and happy baby are all wonderful to help relieve the body at this time of the year.
- Breath work: Focusing on your breath and incorporating pranayama can help calm you down when you’re feeling agitated/nauseous/dizzy/head pounding when you’re fasting.
Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Bhramari breathing (humming exhales), box breathing (equal count inhales & exhales) or even just lengthening your exhales can be super beneficial when fasting.
- Mantra/Japa: Using prayer beads/tasbeeh/mala to recite and repeat specific words of divine power whilst keeping count with each bead is a form of meditation that transcends different religions. Whether you’re a Hindu chanting Aum, a Christian saying Hail Marys or a Muslim reciting a word from the Quran, passing your hands through each bead gives your hands something to do and chanting (out loud or in your mind) gives your mind something to focus on. When fasting, this can help improve our concentration (something we all struggle with when we’re hungry & thirsty!)”
Enjoy your Eid everyone! Wishing you all a wonderful, safe Yoga practice- carried out mindfully, in accordance to your unique needs.
