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Author: Maria Kuzmiak

Our True Nature: Overcoming Afflictions to Return to Peace

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
our true nature

I remember my first yoga experience, a beginners hatha yoga class in my hometown. In every class, the teacher would remind us, “Our true nature is peace.” I felt it every time, for a while at least. After class, I’d feel like I’d come home to the peace that had eluded me. Then I’d return … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: our true nature, peace, yoga sutras

The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments

In chapter 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we learn about the practice of yoga. More specifically, how to practice. The first sutra in this section introduces three important disciplines from the niyamas that strengthen our ability to deepen our practice. Sutra 2.1 says: Austerity, the study of sacred texts, and the dedication of action to … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: higher power, niyamas, practice of yoga, svadhyaya, tapas

What is Samadhi? Exploring The Goal of Classical Yoga

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
what is samadhi

Near the end of the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describes the goal of yoga—samadhi. So, what is samadhi? You may have heard it defined in a few ways. Samadhi is a state of oneness with all that is. It is union with the divine, connection with source, a dissolution of the ego. Each … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga Circles Tagged: samadhi, union

How The Mind Distracts Us and How Yoga Can Help Us Return

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

After describing the roadblocks to enlightenment in the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali invites us to consider their presence in our lives. He invites us to explore how the mind distracts us. A few symptoms, we’re told, will let us know we’re distracted. How The Mind Distracts Us When we’re distracted, Patanjali says, our bodies let us … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: mental distraction

Roadblocks to Enlightenment: Knowing When We Wander From the Path

by Maria Kuzmiak 1 Comment

Spiritual seekers face many obstacles. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali names roadblocks to enlightenment and tells us how to get around them. These obstacles are listed in sutra 1.30. According to a translation by Reverend Jaganath Carrera, roadblocks to enlightenment include disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sensuality, false perception, failure to reach firm ground, and … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: roadblocks to enlightenment, yoga sutras

What Does OM Mean? — Exploring The Sound of the Universe

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
what does OM mean

Chanting mantras is a powerful way to turn inward and quiet the mind. While there are many mantras, few are as well-known as the sound of OM. But what does OM mean? In Yoga Sutra 1.28, Patanjali reminds us that chanting the mantra and reflecting on its meaning are keys to enlightenment. Maybe you’ve heard … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: mantra chanting, OM, sound of OM, what does om mean

Dealing With Anger Like a Yogi: Allow It and Let it Go

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
dealing with anger

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t met a lot of angry yogis. I’m not referring to yogis who get angry. I’m talking about yogis who are angry at their core. I’m not saying anger is in some way not yogic (a lot of us turn to yoga to deal with emotions like anger), … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: yoga and anger, yoga and emotions

Let It Go or Let It Be But Don’t Cling to It: A Yogi’s Guide to Authentic Living

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments
let it go or let it be

There’s sometimes a misconception in the yoga community that yogis transcend all the messiness of life. Early in our practice, we’re often taught to let it go, as one of my teachers pointed out recently. But she wasn’t pointing that out to encourage it necessarily. She was pointing it out to dispel the myth that … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: authentic living, let it go

Attention to Detail: How Yoga Makes Me a Better Editor

by Maria Kuzmiak 1 Comment

I had to smile when a friend thanked me for my attention to detail recently. I’d simply mentioned he could track a package he was waiting for with the FedEx tracking number so he’d know when to expect it. Though it seemed obvious to me, my friend hadn’t thought of it. His comment got me thinking about my yoga practice … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: attention to detail, mindfulness meditation

Yoga in the West: Is Eastern Wisdom Beyond Our Grasp?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
Virtual Yoga Circles

A while back, I had an interesting though unsettling experience. I’d posted a question online asking yoga teachers and practitioners to help me tease out the difference between the sixth and seventh limbs of yoga. One of the teachers who responded led me to think in more depth about yoga in the West. If you’re … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga Circles Tagged: what is yoga
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Recent Posts

  • Our True Nature: Overcoming Afflictions to Return to Peace
  • The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • What is Samadhi? Exploring The Goal of Classical Yoga
  • How The Mind Distracts Us and How Yoga Can Help Us Return
  • Roadblocks to Enlightenment: Knowing When We Wander From the Path

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  • Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
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  • Maria Kuzmiak on The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • Dolores on The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • Dolores E Andalkar on Roadblocks to Enlightenment: Knowing When We Wander From the Path
  • Harshit on Non-attachment for Yogis: Letting Go Without Indifference
  • Harshit on Attention to Detail: How Yoga Makes Me a Better Editor

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