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Yoga and Western Religion

Brahmacharya — The Fourth Yama — Is Joyful Awakened Living

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. 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 to … [Read more…]

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

The Yoga of Jesus in The Gospel of John: Moving Toward Union With God

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 yoga of Jesus when I thought more about … [Read more…]

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

The Ten Commandments for Yogis: Yamas, Niyamas, and The Law of Moses

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: 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…]

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

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…]

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…]

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: Be Still and Know the Presence of God

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
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

God is Always There, Even When All Seems Hopeless

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
God is there

This morning during a guided meditation practice, I heard words I needed to hear. The words, which my yoga teacher read, were Swami Satchidinanda’s. Since I don’t have the text, I’ll paraphrase. The basic idea is God is always there. Things often seem mysterious, and the meaning of life eludes us. We question why we’re … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Yoga and Western Religion, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: God, higher power, union with the divine

Saint Ignatius of Loyola: Christianity’s Yogi and the Law of Non-attachment

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
Saint Ignatius of Loyola

As a devoted yogi with strong Christian roots, I’ve been scolded more than once for practicing yoga. Happily, I’ve found far more support than not among Christians. That’s good, because it turns out there are many yogis in Church history! Of course, they’re rarely identified as such and probably would not have thought of themselves … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga and Western Religion Tagged: non-attachment, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, yoga and Christianity
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