What Is a Gratitude Practice?

A gratitude practice is a deliberate act of recognizing and appreciating the blessings, positive experiences, and people in our lives. It involves developing a mindset of gratitude and regularly expressing thankfulness for the things we have. This practice often begins by setting aside a specific time each day to reflect on and acknowledge what we are grateful for. It can be done through various activities such as writing in a gratitude journal, sharing gratitude with others, or engaging in mindful meditation focused on gratitude.

A gratitude practice aims to shift our attention away from the negative aspects of life and towards the positive ones. It helps us develop a more optimistic outlook, enhances our ability to find joy in everyday moments, and fosters a greater sense of contentment and fulfillment. By consciously cultivating gratitude, we train ourselves to see the beauty and abundance surrounding us, even during challenging times.

Engaging in a gratitude practice has been found to have numerous benefits for overall well-being. It can reduce stress, increase happiness, improve relationships, boost self-esteem, and promote a more positive mental and emotional state. Regularly practicing gratitude helps us develop a mindset of abundance and appreciation, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

What Does Gratitude Have to Do With Yoga?

Gratitude and yoga are deeply connected practices that complement and enhance each other. Here’s how they are connected:

1. Mindfulness: Both gratitude and yoga promote a sense of mindfulness and presence. Yoga encourages us to bring our awareness to the present moment, to listen to our bodies, and to be fully present on the mat. Gratitude similarly invites us to be fully present and attentive to the blessings and experiences in our lives. Practicing gratitude and yoga cultivates a deep sense of mindfulness and helps us appreciate the present moment.

2. Shift in Perspective: Gratitude and yoga invite us to shift our perspective and focus on the positive aspects of our lives. In yoga, we learn to navigate challenges and discomfort with acceptance and gratitude for the lessons they bring. Off the mat, practicing gratitude helps us reframe our mindset by focusing on what we have rather than what we lack. Combining the two practices allows us to see the beauty and abundance surrounding us.

3. Heart Opening: Many yoga poses are heart-opening, meaning they stretch and open the chest, allowing us to access feelings of love, compassion, and gratitude. Poses like Camel Pose (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana), and Fish Pose (Matsyasana) physically open the heart space while simultaneously energetically opening us to receiving and expressing gratitude. This physical and energetic opening helps us connect more deeply with our emotions and cultivate a grateful heart.

4. Gratitude as a Daily Practice: Just as yoga is often practiced as a daily ritual, gratitude can also be cultivated as a daily practice. Incorporating a few minutes of gratitude into your yoga practice, whether through conscious breathing, setting intentions, or expressing thanks during a gratitude meditation, can deepen the connection between the two practices. Both yoga and gratitude thrive with consistency and routine, strengthening our overall well-being.

5. Cultivating Positive Energy: Both gratitude and yoga can shift our energy from negative to positive. We generate positive thoughts and feelings by focusing on gratitude and practicing yoga. This positive energy not only benefits ourselves but also spreads to those around us. The combination of gratitude and yoga can create a ripple effect of positivity, bringing lightness and joy into our lives and the lives of others.

By incorporating gratitude into your yoga practice and infusing yoga into your attitude of gratitude, you can enhance both practices and experience a more profound sense of connection, contentment, and well-being. And tapestry of existence, gratitude, and yoga emerge as intricately interwoven threads.  

Below are examples of 3 different yoga sequences to help cultivate gratitude:

Standing Yoga Sequence for Gratitude

This standing yoga sequence for gratitude is all about feeling connected to something larger than self. This standing yoga sequence for gratitude will help you feel rooted in gratitude.  That’s absolutely what we felt when we practiced.  These yoga poses are all about strength; cultivating gratitude takes strength and discipline. 

A standing yoga sequence for gratitude is a beautiful way to cultivate a sense of appreciation and thankfulness in your practice. Here’s a sequence that focuses on grounding, opening the heart, and expressing gratitude through movement:

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Begin by standing tall with your feet hip-width apart, grounding firmly into the earth. Relax your shoulders, lengthen your spine, and find a steady breath. Close your eyes and take a moment to express gratitude for your practice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
2. Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Shift your weight onto your right foot and bring the sole of your left foot to rest on your inner right thigh or calf. Find balance and stability in this pose, like a tree deep in the ground. Place your hands in prayer at your heart center and express gratitude for your body and its strength.                                                                                                                                                                                        
3. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): Step your left foot back, keeping your right foot pointing forward. Align your front heel with the arch of your back foot. Open your arms wide at shoulder height, parallel to the ground. Sink into your front knee and gaze over your front fingertips. Feel the strength and power of this pose, expressing gratitude for your inner warrior spirit.                                                                                               
4. Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana): Straighten your front leg without locking the knee, and reach your right hand towards your right foot. Unfurl the left arm towards the sky, creating a straight line from your fingertips to your heel. Engage your core and feel the stretch along the sides of your body. Breathe and express gratitude for the expansiveness of life.                                                                                     
5. Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana): From Triangle Pose, bend your front knee and bring both hands to the floor on either side of your front foot. Allow your head to hang heavy, releasing tension in the neck and shoulders. This pose symbolizes surrender and letting go, expressing gratitude for all that has served you in life.                                                                                                                                                                
6. Camel Pose (Ustrasana): Come to your knees with your hips aligned over your knees. Place your hands on your lower back, fingers pointing down. Inhale and lift your chest towards the sky, arching your spine gently. If comfortable, reach backward to hold onto your heels. Open your heart and express profound gratitude for the love and support in your life.                                                                                                              
7. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Return to standing with your feet hip-width apart. Ground yourself again, feeling the connection between your body and the earth. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, expressing gratitude for the present moment and all the blessings around you.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Seated Yoga Sequence for Gratitude

A seated yoga sequence for gratitude allows you to focus on grounding, centering, and expressing appreciation from a seated position. Here’s a sequence that will help you connect with gratitude and cultivate a sense of inner peace:

1. Easy Pose (Sukhasana): Begin by sitting cross-legged on your mat. Find a comfortable position and sit with a tall spine. Close your eyes, place your hands on your knees or in your lap, and take a few deep breaths. Settle into the present moment and bring your attention to the feeling of gratitude.

2. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): Extend your legs before you. Inhale and reach your arms up overhead. Exhale and fold from your hips, reaching for your feet or ankles. Keep your spine long and focus on lengthening through the crown of your head. Breathe deeply and express gratitude for the journey you are on.

3. Seated Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana): Bend your right knee and place your right foot outside your left thigh. Inhale and lengthen your spine. Exhale and twist towards the right, placing your left hand on your right knee and your right hand behind you for support. Gently twist deeper with each exhale, releasing tension and expressing gratitude for the ability to adapt and grow.

4. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana): Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees drop open to the sides. Hold onto your feet or ankles and sit tall. With each inhale, lengthen your spine and exhale, allowing your knees to drop closer to the ground. Close your eyes and express gratitude for the connections and relationships in your life.

5. Supported Fish Pose (Matsyasana): Place a bolster or folded blanket horizontally across your mat behind you. Sit at the edge of the support and lower your back onto it. Rest your head on the bolster or blanket, opening your chest and heart towards the sky. Relax into the pose, focusing on gratitude for the support and love that surrounds you.

6. Meditation: Come to a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. As you inhale, visualize gratitude filling your entire being. With each exhale, release any tension or negativity. Take a few moments to sit still, cultivating gratitude for the present moment and all the blessings in your life.

Remember to listen to your body throughout this sequence and modify or skip poses that don’t feel right. Seated yoga offers an opportunity to find gratitude, peace, and contentment from a grounded and centered space. Enjoy the practice!

Gratitude Vinyasa Flow Sequence

A gratitude Vinyasa flow is a dynamic sequence that combines breath and movement to cultivate a sense of appreciation and thankfulness. This flowing practice helps to engage the body, calm the mind, and open the heart. Here’s a sequence that will guide you through a gratitude-themed Vinyasa flow:

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Begin at the front of your mat with your feet hip-width apart, standing tall. Ground through your feet, lengthen your spine and relax your shoulders. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, expressing gratitude for the present moment.

2. Sun Salutation A: Inhale, sweep your arms overhead, and look up (Urdhva Hastasana). Exhale, fold, and touch the ground or your shins (Uttanasana). Inhale, lift halfway, lengthening your spine (Ardha Uttanasana). Exhale, step or jump back to a high plank, and lower into Chaturanga Dandasana. Inhale, upward-facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana). Exhale, downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Repeat this flow 3-5 times, synchronizing your breath with movement and expressing gratitude for your body’s strength and vitality.

3. Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I): From down dog, step your right foot forward between your hands. Inhale, rise, lift your arms overhead, and square your hips forward. Keep your back leg strong and engage your core. Sink into your front knee, gazing forward. Feel the strength and power of this pose, expressing gratitude for your inner warrior spirit. Hold for a few breaths, then switch sides.

4. Gratitude Flow: From Warrior I on your right side, exhale and open your arms wide, transitioning into Warrior II. Inhale, reverse your warrior by reaching your right arm up and back, creating a gentle side bend (Extended Side Angle Pose). Exhale, cartwheel your hands down to the mat, and step back into plank pose. Take a breath here, expressing gratitude for the strength and stability within you. Repeat this flow on the left side, moving with your breath.

5. Camel Pose (Ustrasana): Come to a kneeling position with knees hip-width apart. Place your hands on your lower back for support. Inhale, lift your chest toward the sky, arching your back gently. If comfortable, reach backward to hold onto your heels. Open your heart and express gratitude for the love and support in your life. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for a few breaths.

6. Seated Gratitude Twist: Come seated with your legs extended in front of you. Bend your right knee and bring your right foot over your left leg, placing it on the ground. Inhale, lengthen your spine, and exhale, twist to the right, placing your left elbow on the outside of your right knee. Use each inhale to lengthen your spine and exhale to deepen the twist. Feel the release of tension and express gratitude for the ability to let go.

7. Savasana: Lie flat on your back, letting your body completely relax. Close your eyes and take a few moments of stillness. Bring to mind all that you are grateful for in your life. Allow a sense of gratitude to fill your entire being as you rest in this final pose.

Remember to honor your body’s limitations, modify poses as needed, and listen to your breath throughout the practice. Let your movements flow with grace and gratitude, and savor each breath and posture.

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