by Leah Hartofelis
Leah Hartofelis
The month of November is a time for developing unconditional gratitude. Yoga is an effective way to nurture and cultivate thankfulness in one’s heart for one’s self, family, friends, the Earth and beyond. Often this ability to embrace can be blocked by clinging to the past and/or focusing on the future. This prevents people from living in the moment. Gratitude comes from being content with who you are and what you currently have. Yoga teaches us to focus on the here and now, no matter the obstacles of our life and worries of our mind. We need to ask ourselves and those around us daily, “What are you grateful for today?”
One of the niyamas, or observances, of yoga is santosha, which means contentment and satisfaction with what one has. Also, the Sanskrit word sukha means happiness, pleasure or bliss. The practice of restorative yoga and yin yoga allows for postures that promote stillness and ease. The practice teaches you how to release and let go of physical and emotional tension, be in the here and now, and make friends with ourselves. Restorative yoga is “active relaxation.” Through supporting the body with various bolsters, blankets and blocks for a lengthened period of time, one, in turn, stimulates and relaxes the body and mind.
My go-to postures for evoking inner appreciation and gratitude are Supta Baddha Konasana—Reclined Bound Angle, Viparita Karani—Legs Up the Wall (BNFYoga’s pose of the month), Supported Bridge Pose, Supported Child’s Pose and any variation of Savasana—Basic Relaxation Pose. When practicing restorative yoga, do so in a space that feels safe and warm, and is dark and quiet. Being comfortable is key. Allow yourself approximately 10 to 15 minutes within each pose.
A practice of daily gratitude empowers us to focus on the moment, and open our eyes and hearts to the everyday blessings. Yoga teaches us not to search outside ourselves for true love and happiness but to discover that it is always within us. If our thoughts, words and actions are those of gratitude, we can attain a state of contentment—of santosha.
Leah Hartofelis, a yoga instructor, is founder and owner at Breathe N Flow Yoga, located at 361B Atlantic Ave., Freeport. For more information, call 516-632-9626 or email [email protected].
