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The Fifth Yama: The Power of Non-Possessiveness

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

Adhering to the yogic principle of non-possessiveness—the fifth yama—is a challenge. But its power cannot be denied. When I’m able to practice non-possessiveness, my life improves dramatically! How does this work? If you’re familiar with the yamas and niyamas, you know they are guidelines for living. I sometimes think of them as the Ten Commandments … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: niyamas, non-attachment, non-possessiveness

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

Non-Stealing in Yoga: How the Third Yama Fosters Living Without Lack

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
non-stealing

Non-stealing, the third yama of Patanjali’s Yoga, is more than not taking somebody else’s stuff. Behind the principle of non-stealing (asteya in Sanskrit) is the notion of abundance, the idea that there is enough for everyone and everything is connected. In an ideal world, we would all share resources. Everyone would contribute to the community, … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: asteya, non-stealing, Patanjali, third yama

Truth in Yoga: Authenticity or Just the Facts?

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment
truth in yoga

Every moral code includes truthfulness. Truth in yoga is the second yama, satya in Sanskrit. Why is truth so important, and what exactly does it mean to be truthful? When we talk about truth in yoga, we don’t simply mean giving straight facts, though. Healthy relationships are based on trust that the other person is authentic. … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: second yama, truth in yoga, yamas

Kindness is The First Yama: Nonviolence From a Yogic Perspective

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

The very first step on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga is the first yama: ahimsa. The word means nonviolence or non-harming. It can also be thought of as kindness. Understanding the First Yama Practicing ahimsa means doing no harm. We act with kindness toward other people, other beings, and the universe itself. Most of us … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: ahimsa, nonviolence, 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

How to Deal with People: What the Yoga Sutras Say About Relationships

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are full of wisdom. The goal of Patanjali’s yoga is Self-realization, but we can use the wisdom of the sutras in everyday life. While we’d love to be enlightened beings all the time, we’re human. One way the sutras help us is by teaching us how to deal with people. … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: how to deal with people, relationships

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

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…]

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