Do you find yourself being in a constant state of stress? Are you struggling to find balance in your life? Are you always struggling with negative emotions and emotions that don’t serve you in anyway? Are you frustrated with the way your life is turning out? Perhaps you’re just tired. Many of us are.
Gratitude is a word that is commonly thrown around but often taken for granted. It is used in our everyday language, but we tend to forget about its benefits. Gratitude is an attitude of appreciation. It is a way of appreciating all the good things that have happened to you through the course of your life and the beautiful things that you are able to do with your life.
You are the most important thing in the world to yourself, and you are the most important thing in the world to others. Yoga can help you learn to be thankful for the world and those around you. How do you begin? Try these seven poses.
I have always turned to yoga because it helps me express what I cannot put into words. These seven attitudes help cultivate gratitude for ourselves and those around us. Use these attitudes to trigger everything you can be grateful for in your life.
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7 yoga poses that embody gratitude
Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana)
Go ahead: From Warrior 1 position, fold the fingers behind the back and run the knuckles along the back of the leg – open the chest and heart. Bend over your front leg and bring your shoulder to the inside of your front knee.
To feel: Bow and surrender. Let go of what doesn’t serve you.
2. Intense side stretch pose (Parsvottanasana)
Go ahead: From the Warrior 1 position, jump into a slightly shorter, more comfortable position with your back foot. Turn your upper body slightly towards your front leg and bend over.
To feel: Let the worries and messes of the day roll down your spine and fall to the ground. Let the negativity out of your body and feel renewed with gratitude for the positivity in your life.
3. Wreaths (Malasana)
Go ahead: Extend your feet farther than the mat (or slightly further than hip-width apart) and stand in a deep squat position. Keep your chest up and try to keep your shoulders aligned with your hips.
Variety: Bring your feet together, but leave your upper body free. Lean forward with your head down. Put your hands behind your legs.
To feel: Connect with your heart center and recognize what you are grateful for in your life.
4. Reclining position of the pup (Uttana Shishosana)
Go ahead: Step off the table top onto your forearms and extend your arms lengthwise. Keep your hips above your knees and bring your hands forward. The hands stay in the procedure.
To feel: Let your heart melt on the ground, pour out your gratitude.
5. Knee to Chest (Apanasana)
Go ahead: While lying down, bring your knees to your chest and wrap your arms around your shins.
To feel: Take time to feel gratitude for yourself. Embrace and accept yourself for who you are and where you are.
6. Closed angle in prone position (Supta Baddha Konasana)
Go ahead: Place your feet side by side on the floor. Move your knees away from the mat and bring the soles of your feet together. Put one hand on your belly and the other on your heart.
To feel: Feel gratitude for yourself and those around you radiating from the center of your heart.
7. Abdomen Savasana
Go ahead: Lie on your stomach, bring your toes together and move your heels away from each other. Put one cheek on the mat. You can place your hands wherever you feel most comfortable: in a T-shape, in a cactus shape, along your side – palms up or down, or supporting them on your head.
To feel: As your body rests on the ground, feel how the ground lifts and supports you again. Be grateful that there is a solid space beneath you. Acknowledge and be grateful for other areas of your life where you have reliable support from someone or something.
Take time in these postures to truly embody gratitude and feel its powerful energy flow through you, both physically and mentally. Allow yourself to feel full and deep, and ask yourself: What are you most grateful for?
It’s no secret that gratitude is the foundation of a happy life, but it’s a lovely feeling that’s often overlooked. That’s why we’ve gathered up seven yoga poses that will help you practice gratitude and make it a habit in your everyday life.