This was the quote on today’s peppermint Yogi Tea Bag, that a thoughtful student brought to me as a gift. I stopped, and was grateful. Being grateful, is a conscious practice, it doesn’t come unless you practice.
Researchers say that gratitude practice can be a powerful tool for improving mood, overall wellbeing, and greater optimism (1). In fact, research has shown how gratitude practice can help foster relationships, heighten your sense of connection with others, and act more compassionately(2). Gratitude has even been shown to improve sleep quality.
Practicing gratitude, that leads to happiness is like strengthening a happiness muscle.
“Like farming, the cultivation of happiness takes time, focus, and effort […] cultivation of gratitude may be one of the most effective ways of
harvesting happiness.”
Nava Silton(3)
This year has taught me to stay present and practice more gratitude in order to stay on the light side of life, and remain present (glass half-full kind of positivity). Yoga philosophy refers to this positive state of being as one of Santosha.
How to practice Santosha and Gratitude? Some suggestions here are inspired by Lifehack (4) and then there is one from me at the end:
Keep a gratitude journal and add to it everyday.
Tell someone you love them and how much you appreciate them.
Notice the beauty in nature today, the color of a flower, the smells of the grass or the coolness of snow.
Nurture your friendships.
Smile more often.
Watch inspiring videos that will remind you of the good in the world.
Include an act of kindness in your life each day.
Avoid negative media and movies with destructive content.
Cook meals with love, think of the people you will feed.
Volunteer for organizations that help others.
Now, shall we practice together? I’ll meet you on the mat, this Thursday, American Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26th, 2020 for All Levels Grateful Gathering Yoga Practice.
Time: 10am central 8am pacific. See davannayoga.com and click on either practicing with me via Live Zoom or In Studio ( see purple buttons on home page). The fees are 6$ for online, and 15$ in studio ( limited space).
And Thank You!
Resources:
1)Algoe SB, Haidt J, Gable SL. Beyond reciprocity: gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion. 2008
2)Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84
3) Silton NR. Scientific Concepts Behind Happiness, Kindness, and Empathy in Contemporary Society. IGI Global; 2019.
4) https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/40-simple-ways-practice-gratitude.html
I have travelled with my husband every year for the past 10 to PV and have attended Davannayoga studio for classes and workshops. Unfortunately we will not be travelling to PV this winter and therefore unable to attend any classes/workshops in person.
Thus far I have not done any classes or workshops online as I prefer in studio. Here in the Pacific Northwest where I live(Vancouver Island) my Yoga studio and other local ones of course have had to modify what they offer so I have had a choice to do in person(limited class size with precautions) or online which to date I have not tried. I am thinking that in 2021 I may be forced to try online Yoga classes. With respect to that, I am/will be interested in courses offered by your studio and would like to be kept in the loop as to what is offered. Is there a short tutorial for seniors like myself who do not spend much time on the internet to try online classes…ie….how to and howto pay. I really dont like giving my credit card info over the internet but realize that that is the only way????Please inform me about my options if you can. Thankyou and I hope all at Davanna stay healthy, safe happy and grateful now and throughout 2021. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends…..love from a Canadian Yogi
Hello Susie,
Thank you for writing. I would be happy to walk you through the steps to signing up for online classes at davannayoga Puerto Vallarta. Read on for other options also!
1) go to https://www.davannayoga.com
2) click on Book a Class ( upper right hand corner of page)
3) Follow the directions that are there under the monthly schedule. You can pick the date, then the class you want, and then click on “Book” to enroll in the class you want.
Also – I have Vimeo On Demand. Pre-recorded online classes. One product is all classes ( hatha, vinyasa and gentle classes) and the other is just gentle classes & breathing. It’s a subscription and is straightforward to book online. Here is the link for Vimeo On Demand – all classes (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/davannayogaondemand/) and if you just want to take the gentle classes – its only 10.80 for 30 days! and here is the link for that. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/gentleyogaonly
Finally – I do have some nice online courses where you can study a bit of history/philosophy of yoga and learn to lead yourself in a daily yoga practice with breathing sequences and movement. You might really like these. Then you can lead your own practice daily! Read all about them here: The first one is called Sadhana, a favorite and great for learning a bit more about yoga! https://davannayoga.teachable.com/p/mini-3-day-yoga-course And the next one is a shorter program that teaches mostly how to lead yourself in a short peaceful sequence daily, with a practice chart: https://davannayoga.teachable.com/p/short-and-peaceful-yoga-sequence-to-practice-daily
Again thank you for your interest in davannayoga!
Anna