By Syma Sayyah, Tehran

Some years ago I mentioned during one of my yoga sessions that I wished there was a class basic enough that anyone who had done yoga could attend regularly.  The reason was that, in those days, I often had to travel due to my job and had to attend each course several times in order to finish it.  A couple of years ago my wish came true and my dear yoga teacher Yeganeh Shahmir, who is also a wonderful painter, decided to start a new class where anyone from beginners to advanced students could come and enjoy the benefits of doing yoga.

painting by Yeganeh

There is no schedule to finish; the class comes to life with a feeling that comes from those attending it.  It used to be twice a week and now it is three times a week, with two sessions on each day at 3 and at 5.  It is great even if I can not attend - the fact that I know it is there brings me a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility in this mad city and life of ours.

The class is within walking distance from my work and recently when I was going back to the office I had often noted a gentleman sitting on an old stool reading very loudly in pretty good English.  Today I plucked up courage and went and spoke with him.

His name is Teymour and he resigned from his job at the Iran central bank over 34 years ago because he told me that they did not promote him as they should have done, and he felt that he had been wronged.  I asked him if he did any other job, and the answer was no. He had some money invested in the bank which he lived off of it.

He asked me many questions about what I did. My accent must have been difficult for him as I had to repeat myself several times in English and Persian about what I did and where I lived.  I told him that I am a management consultant and that I write for a website in English as a hobby.

When I asked him why he chose this particular spot to read aloud, he said that this was his home. It seemed a rather big house for a man on his own, but maybe he is not as lonely as I thought.  He must find delight in his books and his reading and I think that in his own way he finds this as therapeutic, calming and relaxing as I find my yoga.

I have a few photos for you to become acquainted with this most lovely stranger that has come my way as well as a few of the paintings from Yeganeh's recent exhibition.

... Payvand News - 05/27/08 ...