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The Emotional Brain and Yoga: Connecting Mind and Heart to Spirit

by Maria Kuzmiak 1 Comment

If you’ve practiced yoga for a while, you may have begun to notice how yoga affects the emotional brain. By yoga, I don’t mean just the physical postures, but the whole practice. As one my teachers used to say often, we are always practicing yoga. The Emotional Brain and Yoga There are different ways to define yoga, … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: connecting mind and heart

Yoga and Spirituality: Is Yoga a Religion?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Is yoga a religion? You may already have an answer to this question, but your answer probably depends on how you define religion. Whether you think of yoga as a religion or not, it’s hard to deny that yoga practiced with deep devotion has a lot in common with religion. If you practice classical yoga, … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: yoga and religion, yoga and spirituality

Basics of Buddhism For Yogis and Other Spiritual Travelers

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
basics of Buddhism

Recently, I had the opportunity to learn the basics of Buddhism at the beautiful Dharmakaya Center For Wellbeing in Cragsmoor, New York.  Like any good yogi, I’ve explored Buddhism before, but what I knew about it was mostly some vocabulary words (like Nirvana, liberation, Noble Truths, and Eightfold Path) and meditation practices and philosophical ideas … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga and Buddhism, Yoga Circles Tagged: Buddhism, yoga and Buddhism

Utkatasana: What We Can Learn From Awkward Yoga Poses

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
utkatasana (awkward chair)

In an early-morning yoga class one day, our teacher asked which poses we love to do. This seamlessly led to a discussion of which poses we hate. (For the record, I love warrior poses and twists.) The consensus: among the more dreaded poses was utkatasana, or “awkward chair.” You probably know the pose. (If not, check … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: utkatasana, yoga poses

My First Yoga Class, or Going in Circles To Find What Was Always There

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments

My first yoga class was in a library, not a gym or a yoga studio. It was a community school class held at the high school I’d graduated from five years earlier. I remember that class well, even though it was decades ago. Even though I fell in love with yoga quickly, I only practiced … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles

Lent and Yoga: What Christianity’s Time of Conversion Can Mean for Yogis

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

For Christians, Lent is traditionally a time to fast and repent. It’s a time to make a conscious effort to put aside obstacles to our relationship with God. If you’re Christian, or if you know Christians, you may associate Lent with giving up chocolate or alcohol, for example. For yogis who are also Christian, there … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: lent and yoga, yoga and Christianity

Love Is A Noun. So, What Does It Mean To Love?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
love is a noun

Love is a noun. It’s also a verb. So, when you say you love (fill in the blank), what do you mean? I’ll bet you mean something different almost every time you say it, because you’re defining love by what you do (or feel or think). Many people believe in the concept of unconditional love. … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles Tagged: love

Yoga and the Nervous System: Why Do You Feel So Good After You Practice?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Have you ever left a yoga class feeling like you’re floating on a cloud? Even if the feeling isn’t so dramatic, I’m sure you’ve experienced a shift after a yoga class that makes you wonder how yoga and the nervous system are connected. Maybe you go into class feeling anxious and you leave feeling calm. … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles Tagged: meditation, yoga and the nervous system

Better Communication Starts with Listening Longer

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
better communication

I was flipping through channels on TV and came across a psychologist doing an audience Q & A. Someone asked him for tips on better communication with loved ones. The psychologist’s answer was simple (but not easy). “Listen longer than you want to,” he said. Start with Listening I’m often told I’m a good listener. But … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit Tagged: communication, meditation

Setting Intentions for the New Year: How Will You Live Your Yoga in 2019?

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments
setting intentions for the new year

You won’t escape people asking about New Year’s resolutions or intentions for the new year. If you’re like me (I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions in nearly a decade) you may cringe when everyone starts talking about all the ways their lives will be different after January first. You’ve probably noticed most resolutions or intentions … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: non-attachment, setting intentions
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