15 Steps to Achieve Gratitude ~ Bring it to your Yoga Mat & Beyond!

Source for image: Pinterest

When I came across this list of 15 steps to achieving gratitude, it looked very familiar to many of my thoughts on yoga and living a healthy life.

1) Appreciate: the time you take for yourself, your body's current abilities, your teacher within and in person

2) Stop Labeling: 'I can't do this', 'I'm not flexible enough', 'I'm fat or ugly'

3) Optimism: approach your life and your mat with optimism, with a glass-full attitude, the more you believe something is possible, the more you will work towards your goal

4) Release your past: inhibitions, grow from your mistakes on and off the mat, recognize an injury for what it is.

5) Avoid Comparison: to the person on the mat next to you - their flexibility could be because they were a ballet dancer in their lifetime (yes...that happened to me), or their inflexibility is because of a severe car accident -- be in-tune with your own body - where it is at any given moment

6) Kindness: Yoga is a practice, we are always learning and ever changing. Be kind to yourself through your thoughts and actions even on the days where it seems you are not making progress (see #4). Every day will be different on the mat.

7) Stop using Excuses: 'I have asthma, I can't do this', 'I'm inflexible', 'I'm too busy' -- you know that as soon as you are kind to your body and take care of yourself -- you always feel better!

8) Nurture Relationships: Your inner guru/teacher, community, connect with those that are like minded, connect with your hamstrings and shoulder blades in new ways...it will save you lots of hardship.

9) Forgiveness: forgive your mat neighbor for their groaning, farting, late arrival, etc

10) Avoid Impressing Others: It might seem like a good idea to throw yourself into a handstand or arm balance at a party....but it's probably best not to. Party Yoga does not usually end well, especially when alcohol is involved

11) Commit to you Goals: just keep practicing...it's amazing how far you come when you do something 7 days in a row...your body opens up in new amazing ways.

12) Care for your Body: Practice and Rest ~ don't forget to incorporate self care into your routine, your body does need downtime especially when we are constantly on the go and too busy.

13) Believe: in the possible even when it seems impossible

14) Dream: in Savasana, in challenging moments, breath in a new life --> a dream, fulfillment, identifying new desires

15) Give: karma yoga (service), sharing, compliment