Attitude of Gratitude

Today, many words have become so yoked with modern yoga we get numb to what they actually mean. For example, words like bliss, peace, and gratitude are plastered all over yoga garb and media platforms, touting yoga as the latest panacea. Gratitude, the acknowledgment of the things in life that you are thankful for, has gained the attention and approval of researchers looking into tools for improving well-being.

Gratitude is a powerful positive emotion that can be easily cultivated through daily practice. It’s been shown to improve mood, decrease depression, improve relationships, and reduce stress. In fact, research shows that practicing gratitude can lead to an overall happier, healthier, and longer life. There are many ways to practice gratitude in daily life—jotting down your thoughts in a gratitude journal, writing a gratitude letter to someone you’d like to thank, or making a gratitude jar to fill with little notes of appreciation. One of the most powerful ways to reap all of these amazing benefits is integrating gratitude into your yoga practice.

What is gratitude?

Gratitude is the act of expressing appreciation and thankfulness towards something or someone in your life. Feeling this emotion affirms the goodness that surrounds us and recognizes and appreciates the source of this goodness. It is a natural human emotion that arises spontaneously, yet it can also be actively invoked, learned and strengthened.

Why is practicing gratitude important?

When we are grateful, we are able to let go of the negative thoughts and feelings that keep us stuck in the past or fearful of the future. When we feel grateful, we feel good inside and our happiness levels increase. When we combine a gratitude practice with yoga, we learn how to cultivate positive emotions and well-being on and off our yoga mats. By focusing on gratitude while holding difficult yoga poses, we learn to look beyond our problems and challenges and focus on the good things in the present moment.

How does yoga help with gratitude?

The practice of gratitude yoga is a great way to cultivate a positive state of mind. In gratitude yoga, you will learn to express gratitude towards others and yourself. You will learn to appreciate all aspects of your life, including your relationships, work, family, home, and community.

Besides cultivating a state of gratefulness, practicing gratitude yoga can also help you develop a deeper sense of inner peace and a greater ability to persevere through challenges and difficulty.

Benefits of gratitude yoga

1. Gratitude yoga helps us be more grateful. When we practice gratitude yoga poses and include thankfulness and appreciation in our yoga practice, we create a powerful feedback loop that reinforces our expression and experience of gratitude. The more we practice, the easier it gets, and the more likely it will become a daily habit.
2. It makes us happier and improves our mood. A daily gratitude practice has been shown to improve overall mood and mental health. Research has found that participants who practiced gratitude had greater self-esteem, less anxiety, more optimism, and higher levels of energy than those who did not practice gratitude. When we feel grateful, we experience a mood shift towards joy and happiness. We become aware of the good things around us and begin to notice the little things that make us happy.
3. It improves our relationships and helps us appreciate others.
   Gratitude yoga helps us develop an appreciation for life and those around us. We learn how to accept ourselves and others for who they are and how they contribute to our lives. We become more aware of the positive aspects of our lives and learn to appreciate the things we have instead of always looking for more. The expression of gratitude is infectious, and will encourage other grateful people to be drawn into your social circle.
4. It can help us lose weight. Gratitude yoga helps you lose weight because it makes us feel good about ourselves and improves our life satisfaction. When we feel self love and cultivate positive emotions, we naturally eat healthier foods and take better care of ourselves. It also helps us appreciate our food and slows down our eating which prevents over-eating.
5. It makes us healthier and can help us live longer. Gratitude yoga helps us live longer because it teaches us how to cultivate a positive attitude. When we think positively, we are more likely to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. We find that we can handle life’s challenges more easily. We will have fewer stress-related illnesses, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A regular gratitude practice not only improves our mental health, but also our physical health. Studies show that people who regularly practice gratitude have lower blood pressure, reduced stress hormones, better sleep, and improved immune function.
6. It makes us calmer and reduces stress. Gratitude yoga teaches us how to live in the present moment. When we are mindful of the present moment, we are not caught up in past regrets, future worries, or the stressful demands of the day. Instead, we are fully engaged in the here and now. The positive feelings of gratefulness are naturally calming and soothing and put our minds at ease.
7. It can make us more creative and more productive. Gratitude yoga teaches us how to look beyond the negative and find the positive in any situation. When we are grateful, we are able to appreciate and notice everything around us. Our perspective changes. We become more mindful and start to notice things that we might otherwise miss. We begin to feel more positive and optimistic. We begin to think differently. We begin to create new ideas and solutions. It gives us a sense of wonder and awe.
8. It can improve our confidence and self-esteem. Gratitude helps us feel better about ourselves. If we have a positive attitude toward life, then we will naturally attract more positive experiences into our lives. Gratitude can become a state of mind where we see all aspects of life as blessings and opportunities to grow and learn. Looking at the world around you through a lens of gratefulness provides the confidence and self-esteem to lean into difficult situations.
9. It makes us better yogis. Gratitude yoga helps us to become better human beings because it helps us develop compassion, love, and kindness toward ourselves and others. It helps us see the good in everyone and everything around us. It helps us become more accepting and less judgmental of ourselves and others.

Summing it up

Gratitude plays a beautiful role in yoga practice! It helps us appreciate our bodies, the present moment, and the journey of self-discovery. By cultivating gratitude during yoga, it enhances our overall well-being by promoting positivity, reducing stress, and fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and others. It's like a little sprinkle of happiness on our mats!

A consistent yoga practice has been shown to increase feelings of gratitude, generosity, compassion, and empathy. Besides being a great stress reliever, yoga increases the awareness of our thoughts and emotions. We learn to observe how we react to situations, whether good or bad. By becoming more aware of our actions, we gain insight into ourselves and how we relate to others. These benefits naturally reinforce the benefits of practicing gratitude. 

And it's not just during the yoga practice itself that gratitude can make a difference. Taking a moment to express gratitude before and after our practice can create a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the experience. It can also help us carry that positive energy off the mat and into our daily life.

The practice of gratitude is a key ingredient in our spiritual journey. Gratitude yoga helps us to appreciate the present moment and live in the now. It gives us tools to strengthen the effects of gratitude and to improve our psychological health. Combining gratitude exercises into a yoga practice is a synergistic way to remove toxic emotions and to reap numerous physical and mental health benefits.

It can be easy to forget that we have a lot of things to be grateful for when life turns bleak and grey, but that just means we have even more of a reason to include gratitude in our yoga practice, on and off the mat.

Whether our wellness practice includes yoga, meditation, following a virtuous path, or just being mindful of ourselves and others, don’t forget to add some gratitude to the mix. Show appreciation for life and all that it has given to us; life gives what we put in, so let’s make sure we put in our very best so we always receive the best in return. 

Onward & Upward

Trish

Tools to Deepen Practice

As we delve deeper into this yogic path, we appreciate the practice not just for physical prowess, but also for the emotional and spiritual resilience. Whether we’re striving to show up daily despite life’s demands or digging deep to overcome trauma, commitment is key to our growth.

When we are on the ma, how easily do our thoughts wander with our curious senses? By exploring the foundational principles of yoga, such as Tristana—the integration of breath, movement, and focus—we learn to navigate our practice and inner landscape with greater awareness and intention, no matter how painful it is to resist temptations.

Tristana consists of Ujjayi Pranayama (breathing technique), Bandhas (energy locks or seals), and Drishti (looking focus). Through this method we develop control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves and our inner sensations, emotions and workings of the mind. 

Tristana translates to ‘three places’. The term was first coined by Pattabhi Jois to describe the techniques involved in his method of Ashtanga yoga. It is a tool to help cultivate the ultimate presence of mind, focus, and stability.

These three tools transform our asana (physical) practice from a simple body exercise into a total mind-body experience. Tristana helps us go from a huffing and puffing wicked game of twister into a graceful flow. The three essential pieces of tristana unite the actions of body and mind, using dharana (concentration) to allow the practice to become meditative.

The three elements of tristana are important and powerful on their own, but even more so when they work together. Focusing on our breath while keeping a steady gaze and using our energy locks increases the benefits of our practice. The sum of the three functioning together – Tristana – equates to more than each one of them on their own.

 

UJJAYI – VICTORIOUS BREATH

One of the most important aspects of yoga (and let's face it....LIFE!!!) is breathing. The fundamental technique of yogic breathing used in vinyasa flow practices is ujjayi breath, or “victorious” breath. It is the foundation for many pranayama techniques, as well as an important practice on its own.

Ujjayi breath slows down and lengthens the breath. By filling up the lungs entirely, we increase lung capacity and help increase the supply of oxygen to the muscles. We also learn to control the flow of breath. Ujjayi breath is a point of concentration for the mind that aids us in the practice of pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). Focusing on the breath keeps the mind steady and calm, especially when poses get challenging.

 

BANDHAS – POWER CENTERS

 

Bandha means 'to bind' or 'to lock'. These locks activate the flow of energy in the body, moving prana from the base of the spine into the 72,000+ nadis (energy channels) of the body. As we create these locks, we are activating energy throughout the body, and locking it in so it does not escape from the body.

Beyond the energy flow in the body, the bandhas also help create support for the spine and lower back during transitions. Using bandhas creates lightness and grace in some of the more challenging poses, such as arm balances or jump-throughs.

 

DRISHTI – YOGIC GAZE OR POINT OF FOCUS

The yogic gaze, or dristhi, is the direction we look and the focus we maintain as we keep awareness on what we are seeing and doing. 

The practice of dristhi is used to help us practice both focus and stability. It leads us to the concentration needed for balance and helps control the tendency to wander around and be distracted by following our senses. Dristhi is a perfect aid in the practice of pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). It also initiates the practice of dharana (concentration).

 

Tristana is a powerful combination of tools and when used, will elevate our practice to a new level. It will help us step into a more grounded, graceful and easy practice. The more we put Tristan to use, our inner and outer awareness blooms and our yoga begins to encourage our truth to unfurl. By understanding these deeper layers, we transform past discomforts into present strengths. Discipline is no longer just about the practice; it becomes a dedication to ascend, become brilliant, and live closer to our dharma (God-given purpose) in all areas of our lives.

Do you seek ways to deepen and grow your practice? Take advantage of the various Soleil Lune offerings: 

• Taking classes: in studio or virtually and commit to taking 3+ classes per week for 3 months and see what transpires! 
• Register for the 4-week upcoming Grow Group: Rewire 
• Register for the January 2025 200hr yoga teacher trading and advanced studies 
• Already have your 200 hr? Register for the June 2025 300hr advanced yoga teacher training and studies 
• Take a weekend immersion by registering for our Continuing Education Seminars on various topics such as transformative sequencing, hands-on assists, and the subtle body. For those that teach, these seminars offer CECs.

I can’t wait to delve deeper. Together. Onward and upward! See you on your mat!!

Leading A Yogic Lifestyle

 

What is a yogic lifestyle? Attending a bunch of yoga classes every week? Wearing tight yoga pants and, every time you get a chance, flinging silk scarves made in India around your shoulders? If I say “Namaste” when I greet someone, or “Om Shanti" when I leave, does that make me a yogi?

While all of the above choices are perfectly in line with the rapidly expanding yoga culture, a yogic lifestyle means something entirely different. It has nothing to do with the style of yoga people practice, their style of clothing, the type of work they are involved in, or anything else that is externally imposed by fads and culture.

Yoga is a lifestyle and a science and ultimately is about one’s internal values: What moves or motivates a person to do what they do? A yogic lifestyle is also about the process: How one goes about performing their daily actions. That person can be an artist, a carpenter, a construction worker, a plumber, a car mechanic, a yoga teacher, or a cop. These external descriptions are like our seasons – they are in constant change. They describe a temporary occurrence. Our essence remains the same. Our core values determine who we are and if we are living a yogic lifestyle.

Several years ago, I witnessed the following scene while visiting a large city:

A hot and humid summer afternoon was drawing to a close. The busy sidewalk glistened in the slanted sunrays weaving their way through the tall buildings. A young woman with a baby carriage stopped at a street vendor to buy a bottle of water. For a moment, she let go of the carriage handle as she reached for her wallet to pay. In that moment, the baby carriage started to roll down the sidewalk and toward the speeding traffic. 

All of a sudden, a teenage boy darted away from his ‘gang’ across the street and sprinted toward the rolling carriage while dodging cars. His sharp and urgent voice “Watch the baby! Watch the baby!” jerked the young mother’s head around. She grasped the invisible air handle realizing what happened, and ran toward the carriage, which was already falling over the edge of the sidewalk and into the hands of the teenage boy. 

The mother broke into tears and hugged the boy. The boy smiled and shook his head. His friends across the street started clapping their hands. Several other people joined the standing ovation. The street vendor cheered the passers-by to notice what happened. For a few seconds, the busy street stopped, and celebrated the moment. 

In those few seconds, a wave of love and gratitude rolled through the crowd. Everyone smiled. We all felt connected. We all felt compassionate toward one another and united in our human condition here on planet Earth, regardless of our background and beliefs. 

What moved the young man to sprint through the traffic risking his own life? What moved the young woman to hug the boy? What moved the gang of young teenagers to applaud this event?

Many yoga masters and spiritual teachers have defined yoga as “perfection in action”. A perfect action means “an action that benefits someone and harms no-one”. It is an action rooted in non-violence and compassion coming from a deep source within. When we are living our life in accordance with this principle, we are living the yoga lifestyle.

Non-violence, which stems from compassion, is thought of as the most important yoga principle. It’s called “Ahimsa” in Sanskrit and applies to everything: our deeds, words, and thoughts. Gandhi dedicated his life to Ahimsa. He was a great yogi and a wonderful example of the yoga lifestyle in action.

There are four more yoga principles of social conduct: truthfulness, non-stealing, faithfulness, and non-greed; and five rules of personal conduct: mental purity, contentment with what we have, accepting suffering as purification, self-study, and surrendering of ego. In other words, yoga becomes evident in each moment and in each choice, interaction, thought. and action we take.  It becomes the way in which we exist in this world.

No one said it was easy. However, as you begin to quiet your mind and listen to your heart and God's voice, the natural sense of compassion and non-violence awakens, and there’s no stopping it. All other yoga principles become our choices and the natural extension of the original awakening to the compassionate voice of your inner heart. It is our connection to God that becomes apparent to all. The yoga lifestyle is the next step in the evolution of the humankind.   Let’s get to it!

Onward and Upward!