Gratitude | A Skill We Can Develop

Instant Shift

Mike and I have a theory that we have tested many, many times:

It’s impossible to feel miserable 
when you are skipping. 

Yep . . . skipping. Like the moment Mike captured in the photo above. 

So, if any challenges creep in during this day of Thanksgiving, I invite you to steal our instant attitude adjustment tool. 

Go ahead. Give it a try. 
(Wild arm movements, optional. 😉) 
I dare you not to smile! 🥰

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“If you think you are enlightened,
spend a week with your family.” 
~ Ram Dass

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Strengthening Gratitude
Connections to Others | Compassion for Self

​Beautiful yogis,

No matter how you are spending this day, I hope you can take a moment to truly pause and deepen into gratitude. 

Turns out, practicing gratitude means just that . . . gratitude is something we need to practice. In other words, living a life of greater gratitude is a skill that each one of can develop. 

Why does it matter if we live a life full of gratitude?

Repeatedly, research shows that feeling grateful has a positive impact on your mental health and quality of life. Its practice is also a way to love yourself more.
“If your compassion does not include yourself it is incomplete.”JACK KORNFIELD

For those of you who practice in person with me, you know I am a huge advocate of bringing our entire beings onto the mat. The parts of us that are joyful, and excited, and kind, and loving. And, the parts that are impatient, and exhausted, and distracted, and defeated. 

It’s important the we allow ourselves to feel ALL the feelings. Not just try and float around in positivity. Awareness of how we’re truly feeling helps us better understand, and communicate, what we need. 

Challenges and stress are part of daily life. That’s not going to change. But, what we can change is how we respond to, and move through, those moments.

If we can turn our attention, our energy, our focus, into what we’re grateful for, that helps shift us out of anxiety, fear, and struggle. 

I love that smart people study these things! Science knows gratitude is good for the body in a multitude of ways. And, when we strengthen our gratitude muscle, we more easily connect to others, and we are gentler with ourselves. 

Deep gratitude for each one of you, and remember . . . 
when all else fails, try skipping! 😍

~ m

P.S. Registration is now open for the highly anticipated Winter Solstice Yoga event! Please join Teresa and I at the Saugatuck Yacht Club on my favorite night of the year: Thursday, December 21 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM. We’ll move, breathe, meditate, and enjoy healing sounds . . . all in the gorgeous clubhouse @ SYC | 15 Park Street | Saugatuck. ​