November brings about remembrances and feelings of hope, peace and gratitude. Many begin each day of November expressing thankfulnuss for people, circumstances, relationships and life events.
Searching for gratitude helps us find focus and peace in the everyday chaos of life. I personally need to spend much more time each day focusing on the many blessings around me. The first thought that enters my mind when I think of being thankful is Family.
My family is the source of most of the chaos in my life, but also my strength. My amazing husband, Kenan, has been my rock for over 20 years. He encourages and supports me in every aspect of my life. As someone who's never felt any specific direction for my "job" focus, I'm sure dealing with me has been intriguing. However, in 2011 when I experienced teaching yoga for the first time, I knew this was my calling.
My awesome daughters encourage me each day to be a better person. My youngest daughter recently attended one of the yoga classes I taught, and blessed me with, "That was beautiful" afterwards. I almost cried right there in front of everyone. Even though I am not a perfect mom - and I miss being at several activities - I love my sweet family extremely, and seek to share peace and joy with them. Even our sweet puppy, Bella, is always in the middle of my home yoga - making life much more fun!
I'm extremely thankful for all of the opportunities to share the love of yoga with the world around me. Each week I'm blessed to enter multiple places full of wonderful people to help us all find peace, calm and relaxation - with some great stretching and breathing. From the beautiful homes and retirement centers to the gyms and fitness facilities - And - the place where my teaching began - Sth 11th and Willis Church - where we continue the donation class each Thursday evening.
Yoga has allowed me to access peace and calm from within - to reduce the chaos around - and feel there is always hope. Those aspects are always around us - but accessing those isn't always easy. When I began training as a yoga teacher in 2011, I had no idea where that journey would lead me. I've met amazingly beautiful people, shared in personal struggles and life events, and grown in knowledge and heart for all of my yoga community. This past weekend, I completed the final training to receive my 500 RYT.
This is just another milestone in my yoga journey. I feel I have much more to learn, and so many more amazing people with which to share yoga and its healing journey. Healing with yoga may begin with our bodies, but relaxes our hearts and minds in the process. As we seek to find and experience thankfulness this holiday season, yoga can guide us on the journey. There are many ways to find thankfulness with yoga. Acknowledging our breath, expanding our lungs, and releasing into the body helps us find gratitude as we open into the world around us. This video shares a small flow of yoga poses to help us feel gratitude -
Poses in the flow include: Child's Pose, Puppy Pose, Forward Fold, Pyramid, Humble Warrior, Wild Thing, Garland, and Reclined Butterfly - individually shown below-
I am extremely blessed each day for those of you who share your lives with me. By attending the yoga classes I teach; sharing your triumphs and fears; encouraging me and others - you all are bright lights in this crazy world. I pray we all experience peace and joy each day.