Week 6: Gratitude

With it being Thanksgiving this weekend, it was time to reflect on what we
have in our worlds and what we are most grateful for.

How often do you reflect on what you are thankful for? More than once a year?

I find that my yoga practice is the time where I reflect the most. It quiets the mind and allows for a focus on what is important (no multitasking allowed!) I
particularly love the yoga teachers who ask questions and allow for inner
reflection at the beginning, middle and end of class. It's almost like the yoga 
practice is then more of a mental challenge versus a physical challenge.

What resonates a lot during my individual practice is the  power, grace and beauty of the human body. I am grateful that my body allows me  to move and breathe, which nourishes the mind, body, and soul.

In the writings of  Patañjali, an ancient yoga scholar, he writes of the Eight
Limbs of Yoga. I know the very basics of his writing from my academic yoga class but I  thought to myself there must be somewhere in his writings where he references gratitude. I went searching and found that under the second limb, Niyamas, or  the "rules" or "laws" of personal observance, he highlights a similar idea with Santosha. Santosha might align well with gratitude. It is being satisfied with what one has. Maybe in other words, thankful for what we have?

I will leave the readings of Patañjali for another day but practicing yoga daily,
weekly, monthly sure allows me to reflect on what I am thankful for more than once a year!

And I'd be remiss if I didn't reflect on what I am thankful for beyond my yoga practice.

It is in these moments that I am most grateful...the wonderful people I
have in my life (the newest edition exploring the world!)

With gratitude,
LW