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Summary of Talk by Loreley Cazeneuve, Otra Mirada Yoga (Argentina), at the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024
At the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024, Loreley Cazeneuve from Argentina delivered a deeply moving reflection on yoga as a path to inner freedom. Speaking in Spanish, her words transcended language barriers, resonating with practitioners and seekers alike. She reminded the audience that yoga is far more than physical postures or wellness trends. It is, at its core, a profound science of the mind, a timeless discipline that leads us back to our true essence.
Loreley highlighted the brilliance of Patanjali, often regarded as the “scientist of the mind.” His definition of yoga—chitta vritti nirodha, the calming of the fluctuations of the mind—remains a guiding light even in today’s chaotic, overstimulated world.
Patanjali did not merely present techniques; he provided a precise roadmap to inner mastery. As Loreley explained, without calming the mind, we remain trapped in ignorance (avidya), endlessly identifying with what is temporary—our roles, possessions, and passing emotions—rather than our eternal essence.
The practice of yoga, when pursued with sincerity, unveils a deeper truth. As Patanjali reminds us, Tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam—“then the Seer rests in their own true nature.”
For Loreley, this was the heart of yoga: the return to essence. In a modern culture obsessed with speed, convenience, and distraction, yoga invites us into stillness. It reminds us that our worth is not defined by constant doing but by the quality of our being. In that stillness, we rediscover freedom, expansiveness, and a deeper relationship with life.
One of the most practical and profound insights Loreley shared was about repetition. In contemporary culture, repetition is often dismissed as boring or uninspired. Yet, in yoga, it is the very foundation of transformation.
“As teachers and practitioners, we live the blessing of repetition,” she noted. Each practice, each teaching moment, gradually reshapes the practitioner. The body becomes a text to study through asana. Breathwork distributes energy, balancing subtle rhythms. Meditation frees us from what Loreley called the constant “mental zapping” of modern life.
Over time, this repetition chisels clarity, resilience, and stability into the mind and heart. It is through sustained practice—not sudden breakthroughs—that yoga weaves its deepest magic.
Perhaps the most striking part of Loreley’s talk centered on the misunderstood concept of detachment (vairagya).
In Argentina, she observed, detachment is often equated with indifference, coldness, or withdrawal. But yoga’s understanding of detachment is radically different. It is not about distancing oneself from life—it is about surrendering to it.
Control, Loreley explained, is born from fear. Detachment, by contrast, arises from trust. It is rooted in faith that the seeds of our practice will blossom in their own time, in alignment with a greater plan. True detachment frees us from fear and allows us to meet life with openness and courage.
Loreley closed her talk with gratitude—for her colleagues, her students, and the international community of teachers who dedicate themselves to transmitting yoga with truth and compassion. She emphasized that yoga is not about ego, performance, or appearances. Rather, it is about remembering who we are in essence: beings of love.
Her vision for yoga is one that is inclusive, accessible, and deeply human. In a world challenged by conflict, division, and uncertainty, yoga offers not escape but healing. It invites us to calm the mind, expand the heart, and live with greater intimacy with life.
“Yoga invites us to calm the mind, to rediscover our essence, and to live in deeper intimacy with life. It is not about the ego, but about love.” — Loreley Cazeneuve
The Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024, was filled with inspiring voices, but Loreley’s message stood out for its simplicity and depth. She reminded us that yoga is not just a practice for the mat—it is a way of being.
At its heart, yoga is a path of inner freedom. It teaches us humility, trust, and love. It trains us not to escape from life but to embrace it more fully, with clarity and compassion. And in doing so, it holds the promise of transforming not just individuals but the world.
