gratitude
At this busy time of year we all have so much to be thankful for. Perhaps this would be a good time for all of us to create a new daily habit and start a gratitude list. The messages that we give to ourselves are the most important messages we hear. These internal thoughts determine our attitudes, behavior and the course of our lives.
Let’s decide that every day we are going to write one thing we are grateful for. Let that thing become a mantra in your head by repeating it over and over throughout the day.
Make each thought a full sentence that begins with, “I’m grateful for …†or “I’m grateful that …†This way, it’s a complete thought, and you’re not just listing things or people, but actively associating them with giving thanks.
Your list can be composed of specific things like—Honey Nut Cheerios, cell phones, cabs, or abstract things like—courage, perspective, or help in all its forms. It can be about small things—funny things —or big things like—friends and their love. Just go with what comes to you.
Overtime, I hope we will all see the benefits of cultivating gratitude and how rich our lives really are.
Here are seven things I am grateful for —-
• I am grateful for yoga, my teachers, and my students
• I’m grateful for my morning tea ritual.
• I’m grateful that I have a loving family.
• I am grateful for my dog Teddy.
• I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to dance.
• I’m grateful for my cozy bed.
• I am grateful for my daily walk and the smell of fresh air.
Now—you create your list and let’s keep each other going!
That sense of commitment will give us all the push we need to write our thought(s) on days when it seems hard. Sharing something from our lists in class will help us all access our own gratitude more easily and it will be fun to progress together!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
What people are saying...
"I could not have imagined feeling both relaxed and invigorated at the same time until I met Andrea Kayam and began taking classes at her yogabody studio. I have taken both private and group sessions with Andrea. As an experienced teacher of yoga, she has the remarkable ability to gauge the needs of her students each time she teaches a class and to adapt the day’s practice accordingly. She urges students to challenge themselves to go farther each time, while emphasizing that there is no “perfect pose” that must be achieved. Her patience and sense of humor motivate her students to try new techniques comfortably because there is no such thing as failure. During the two years that I have worked with Andrea, I have developed more strength and flexibility and have learned to use breathing both in and out of class to control tension. I recommend yogabody to anyone who wishes to improve his or her quality of life." Linda W.