The uplifting impact of gratitude

I am basing this week's classes on a wonderful experience I had this past Saturday night. It’s been almost two months of restricted activity and over 4 years since I’ve stepped foot into the ocean. Not only did I run—not walk—full speed into the ocean, but I also got to practice AcroYoga at sunset. It made me think about all of the things I take for granted and how easy it can be to focus on the hardships rather than the gifts I have at every moment.

The pose depicted above is called Bird Pose in AcroYoga; on the mat it might be called Superman or Viparita Shalabhasana. It is a pose of confidence, freedom, exaltation—which I think this ties in nicely with the sensation of gratitude. Sometimes it takes losing something to realize how important it is and the moment it returns, it can be exhilarating and joyous. The trick is to continue to feel grateful once it is regained. We’ll practice finding ways to be grateful for what we have and use Viparita Shalabhasana as our launching point for the physical practice.

Feeling down or sluggish? Here are 8 ways to amp up your gratitude this week. Check in at the end of the week to let me know if you feel a little more superhuman:

1. The pen is mightier than the sword! Simply writing things down (and I mean write, not type) is incredibly powerful. Write down three things each day for which you are grateful. Better yet, set a timer and write down as many things you can think of that make you grateful. Challenge yourself to do this every day for a week.

2. Reach out to a friend and ask them to join in on an experiment with you. Give each other one compliment every day for a week & check in at the end of the week to see how you both feel.

3. Have something you are dreading doing? Imagine that you don’t have the ability to complete the task. For example, perhaps you are dreading going to the gym. Imagine if you were to lose a limb, get a concussion, break your back. Now think about how nice it is that you even have the ability to workout and be thankful for that. Not looking forward to a zoom call this week? Imagine that you don’t have access to the internet and then take a moment to be thankful that you do. Try this anytime something unsavory comes up this week.

4. Look back at something you feel good about and give yourself a pat on the back. It doesn’t have to be something substantial like winning an award. It can be something as simple as making someone smile. You do good things every single day. I can promise you that. Want proof? Contact me and I guarantee we can find something you should feel good about every day.

5. Get slips of paper and write down as many things as you can think about for which you are grateful and put them in a bowl somewhere easily accessible. The next time you feel frustrated or down, go read one out loud to yourself and see if your mood improves.

6. Think about special things in your life that you no longer have. Instead of feeling sad about them not being in your life, think about how wonderful it felt to have them in your life. Now think about your future self and what you might miss about this day in your life. Then fully appreciate this day on your future self’s behalf!

7. Each day this week think about someone that has made a difference in your life. Find a way to express your gratitude each day. Have a little extra time? Write a letter of thanks. Less time or don’t have the ability to reach out? Simply write “thank you” on a slip of paper next to their name.

8. This one takes a bit of courage, but it pays off. Look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a compliment. I can almost guarantee you’ll feel awkward, but just pretend you are giving someone else a compliment. Even something simple like, “I like your shirt” might do the trick!

Struggling to find things to be grateful for? You are not alone. A lot of us have a hard time seeing our own gifts. Consider scheduling your complimentary session to find out more.

Have other methods you’d like to add? Include them below!