Practicing gratitude is a great way to notice all that is helpful, lovely and precious in our lives. A nice time to begin is first thing in the morning, while the day is fresh. It is a great way to connect to “sukha’ which means happiness, ease, pleasure or bliss in sanskrit. Suka helps us to focus on being content with what our lives contain right now, instead of in the past or somewhere in the future. We don’t need to wait until something dramatic happens to bring the practice of gratitude into our lives.

An easy way to practice gratitude is through a gratitude meditation. Try this:

Sitting in meditation either in a chair or on the floor, begin to feel grounded through your tailbone and lower body.

Gently bring your awareness to the natural flow of your breathing. Let it rise and fall easy and without strain.

Give yourself this time to go inward to a quiet place and let go of concerns, worries and daily doing.

Feel completely present in your body and breathing, noticing where your tension is and allowing it to soften.

As your awareness relaxes into your breathing, allow yourself to feel and acknowledge something that you are grateful for.

It can be something really basic. Notice and feel how your body and breathing respond to feeling gratitude. Be present with that.

After you feel more settled you might want to choose other things like loved ones, friends, hobbies, something nice that is happening in your life, or even the weather or place you live. Let the warm feelings of gratitude permeate into your breathing, body and emotions. Notice how that feels. Continue like this for several minutes.

When you are finished you might want to write down what you are most grateful for right now, and keep it near you to inspire you.

Today I am grateful for all of you! Much peace-Yoga Jane