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Yoga and Western Religion

Self in Spirituality: What Is The Truth About Who We Are?

by Maria Kuzmiak 4 Comments
self in spirituality

I’ve always been curious about different spiritual points of view. Even though there are many, they seek similar things, like liberation from suffering, salvation or enlightenment, and choosing the right path through life. The self in spirituality — that is, the nature, importance and reality of the individual self— is one topic almost every spiritual … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga and Buddhism, Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: higher self, self

Advent Yoga Reflections: How Christmas Reminds Us What Yoga is About

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Last weekend, I attended an Advent yoga class. When I began my yoga practice decades ago, I wouldn’t have expected to find such a thing. I can’t say for sure how I landed at the class this year, but it may have had something to do with reminiscing about childhood traditions—something my husband and I … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: Advent yoga, Christmas yoga

Brahmacharya: How to Awaken to Joy and Contentment

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

If you’ve studied yoga philosophy and heard the term brahmacharya, you may think of celibacy, self-denial, or asceticism when you see the word. But believe it or not, the aim of brahmacharya is to enjoy life! Brahmacharya means “to walk with God” (in Hindu terminology, to seek Brahman). In my belief, God doesn’t want us … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: brahmacharya, fourth yama, yamas

Jesus The Yogi: How to Unveil Eternity Through Union

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Recently, I was discussing life after death with a friend. I’d mentioned something about the concept of reincarnation in Buddhism. My friend pointed out that Jesus described heaven as a house with many mansions (or rooms). Later that day, I found a new way of understanding the Jesus the yogi when I thought more about … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: yoga of Jesus

The Ten Commandments for Yogis: The Yamas and The Niyamas

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Most of us in the West have heard of the Ten Commandments. If you’re a yogi, you probably also know about the five yamas and the five niyamas. If you don’t, they are the principles the yogic sage Patanjali gave yogis as a guide for right living; think of them as the ten commandments for … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles Tagged: niyamas, ten commandments, yamas

Yoga and Spirituality: How to Practice Without Losing Your 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…]

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

My First Yoga Class: The Beginning of An Unexpected Journey Back to Faith

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…]

Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles

Lent and Yoga: Yogic Principles Christians Share That Lead Us to New Life

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…]

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

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…]

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

Yoga and Christianity: How to Connect The Practice With Jesus’ Teachings

by Maria Kuzmiak 3 Comments
why Christians should practice yoga

Since I started practicing yoga decades ago, I’ve had lots of discussions with folks brought up in the Christian faith who are curious but skeptical about the practice. For me there’s no reason to separate Christianity and yoga, but I understand some of the hesitation I’ve encountered. For whatever reason, some people believe yoga is … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: yoga and Christianity, yoga and religion
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