Yoga Circles

Creating Community Off The Mat

  • Home
  • Blog

Yoga Circles

Topics from the Yoga Circles book

Faith in a Higher Power: The Fifth Niyama and Connection to Source

by Maria Kuzmiak Leave a Comment

As we tap into the fire of tapas and learn more about ourselves through the practice of self-study, we begin to strip away layers of ego. Eventually, we reach a point beyond our intellect. At that point, we need faith in a higher power to go further. Faith in a higher power is the fifth … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: faith, higher power, Isvara-prandihana, niyamas

Tapas — Fueling New Flames With Yoga’s Third Niyama

by Maria Kuzmiak 2 Comments

Since it is winter in the northern hemisphere, I’m thinking about heat. And that reminds me of the third niyama — tapas — and the idea of (figuratively speaking) lighting a fire that can transform us. As we begin a new year, it’s an especially appropriate time to focus on the third niyama. Tapas seems … [Read more…]

Posted in: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles, Yoga Practice and Philosophy Tagged: niyamas, tapas

Non-attachment for Yogis: Letting Go Without Indifference

by Maria Kuzmiak 1 Comment

In yoga philosophy, non-attachment is a powerful and important concept that runs counter to human nature in a lot of ways. The idea is we need to put forth effort without attachment to the results of that effort. The practice of non-attachment gives us more freedom and opportunity to use our gifts, because it allows … [Read more…]

Posted in: Yoga Circles Tagged: law of non-attachment, letting go

The First Niyama: How Purity Can Enhance Your Life

by Maria Kuzmiak 1 Comment

As we move into the month of March and transition from winter to spring, we may begin to think of spring cleaning. In yoga, the first of the five niyamas — guidelines for how we interact with the world and those around us — is purity, or saucha. Think about the first niyama for a … [Read more…]

Posted in: Mind, Body, Spirit, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yoga Circles Tagged: purity, saucha, the first niyama

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
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »
Get new posts by email:

Recent Posts

  • Egoism and Yoga: Do We Really Need to Eliminate The Self?
  • Yogic Wisdom Can Help Us Pull Back the Veil of Ignorance
  • Our True Nature: Overcoming Afflictions to Return to Peace
  • The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • What is Samadhi? Exploring The Goal of Classical Yoga

Categories

  • Mind, Body, Spirit
  • Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
  • Stories of Transformation Through Yoga
  • Yoga and Buddhism
  • Yoga and Western Religion
  • Yoga Circles
  • Yoga Practice and Philosophy

Recent Comments

  • Maria Kuzmiak on Yogic Wisdom Can Help Us Pull Back the Veil of Ignorance
  • Kathryn on Yogic Wisdom Can Help Us Pull Back the Veil of Ignorance
  • Maria Kuzmiak on The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • Dolores on The Practice of Yoga: Austerity, Self-Study and Surrender to a Higher Power
  • Dolores E Andalkar on Roadblocks to Enlightenment: Knowing When We Wander From the Path

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2021 Yoga Circles.

Lifestyle WordPress Theme by themehit.com