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Types of Thoughts Yogis Seek to Control: Five Modifications of the Mind

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
modifications of the mind

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are sacred verses that teach us why we need yoga and how to practice. First, we’re told to take a seat and listen. We will now learn about yoga. Yoga (or union) is the cessation of the modifications of the mind, specifically five types of thoughts. Patanjali then describes the … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: mindfulness, modifications of the mind, yoga sutras

Shadow Work Turns Darkness Into Light and Love

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
embracing our shahdow

What if the things you dislike most about yourself are your greatest strengths? Crazy idea, isn’t it? Yet this is an idea my yoga teacher put out to us one morning. She was reading a book about shadow work, or more specifically embracing our shadow side. The author suggests we think of our dark sides … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: darkness and light, embracing our shadow

What Is Yoga? Here’s What the Yoga Sutras Tell Us

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
what is yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—196 verses of yoga wisdom—begins by asking a fundamental question: What is yoga? Well, to be precise, the sutras begin with the sage calling yogis to take their seat. It’s time, he says, for the teachings of yoga. After we (the students) are presumably settled in place, Patanjali explains what we … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles

Making Sense of Suffering: Acceptance and Transformation

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
making sense of suffering

A friend of mine recently shared his thoughts about making sense of suffering. “I want to believe there’s a reason for suffering,” he said. “But what if there’s not? What if people suffer for no reason?” This friend is a Christian. We are taught to bear our trials the way Jesus did, trusting that God … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: making sense of suffering

Charting a New Course: Where Will You Choose to Go This Year?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
charting a course for the new year

This week, I’ve done my best to avoid the theme of letting go of what doesn’t serve me or making New Year’s Resolutions. But it seems every email, social media update, or blog post I’ve seen in the last several days is about charting a new course in one way or another. So I’ll stop … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Circles Tagged: New Year's Resolutions

The Power of Yoga: What Kind of Superhero Would You Like to Be?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
yoga superpower

In a yoga class one morning, I considered the power of yoga in a new way when my teacher asked what I’d like my yoga superpower to be. Not the kind of question you expect a yoga teacher to ask, though there was a context to the question. Our teacher had just told us about a … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit Tagged: yoga superpower

9 Great Ideas for Re-purposing Old Yoga Mats

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
repurposing old yoga mats

I’m hoping to get a new yoga mat soon. The one is I use daily is getting worn. Also, my knees are getting more sensitive, and it seems they’d benefit from more padding when I practice. I don’t want to simply throw my old mat away, so I started wondering about re-purposing old yoga mats. … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit Tagged: yoga mats

Share the Light: It May Illuminate More Than You Know

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
share the light

You never really know what affect you’ll have on someone’s life. Simple gestures can make a lasting difference. Sometimes we hesitate to reach out in a simple gesture of kindness, because we’re not sure how it will be received. When you feel this way, share the light anyway. Believe it will make a difference! No, … [Read more…]

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

Self Love for Yogis: Here’s How Practicing Mindfulness Can Help

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
need self-love

Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Of course. We’ve all felt that way at times. But is it a transient feeling or a belief deeply ingrained in your psyche? In other words, do you need a dose of self love? Why We Need Self Love A big reason you may need self … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: mindfulness, mindfulness meditation, self-love

The Serenity Prayer with a Yogic Twist: The Wisdom to Know It’s Me

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments
Serenity Prayer

At a yoga class one day, my teacher read a simple quote that is a spin on the Serenity Prayer. It goes like this: God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, The courage to change the one I can, And the wisdom to know it’s me. The quote, like the prayer itself, … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: Serenity Prayer, yoga wisdom
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