Wow! I’m starting a blog! I kind of can’t believe it, but part of this decision stems from the fact that most of us are on the computer much of the day. I’ve been exploring how to create yoga mindfulness throughout our day, even and especially on the computer. So, hence, a blog of yoga-inspired mindfulness.
No better place to start than in gratitude. Yesterday, I did a brief gratitude meditation in one of my classes.
As you sit quietly with eyes closed, take a moment and thank yourself for all that you do in the world. Really pause and enumerate all the amazing ways you’re helping.
Second, take a moment to thank someone else who has enriched you, someone we really appreciate. Just let that person (or people) pop into your head, whoever comes to mind.
Finally, open up to receive thanks coming to you from others, maybe even people we’re not aware of, who are grateful you are just who you are. Simply sitting in that receptive space for a few moments can really be uplifting.
Although I love doing this after a practice, really you can do it any time. You’ll notice your breath starts to deepen, just as if you were on the mat.
So I invite you, right now –
Close your eyes,
thank yourself for all you do,
thank others,
and finally,
be open to receive all the thanks coming your way.
Namaste,
Barrett
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What a lovely way to open your yoga blog, Barrett. As somebody who wants to integrate yoga into all aspects of my life, I can relate to ‘yoga on and off the mat.’
It is a struggle for me though because often if I’m dealing with physical injuries that force me to go easy on a rigorous asana practice, I tend to go off the deep end in terms of eating poorly, breathing shallow, letting stress do its thing, and not being as present in my day-to-day life. It becomes an all or nothing scenario.
I’d like to actively work away from this mentality to incorporating yoga (which is so much more than just asana) into my waking, breathing, moving self. One could be yogic even while lying in bed nursing an ailing knee, no?
Looking forward to more blogging from you, an inspiring teacher.
I think that’s the toughest yoga, but maybe therefore the best yoga to persevere with, Zeenat. To stick to a practice even when you have to modify away from what you wish you could do at that moment. For me, that’s practicing even when I only have 10 minutes, but I really want 60. For you, it’s practicing even if lunges are out (for now) 🙂
I’m glad the knee’s feeling a little better by the way!
I always love it when we incorporate that into a practice – eg think of someone/something to whom we are grateful, right at the end . . . I have sometimes had my DOG’s face flash up :), which is a good reminder to me to be more present with him when I’m actually home!