Club Active Yoga expert, Michelle from U.R.YOGA, shares key insights into achieving the attitude of gratitude. Learn as Michelle outlines the benefits of practicing gratitude and what practices you should be undertaking in your daily routine to enhance your wellbeing.

What is gratitude?

Gratitude is Latin for “gratus”, meaning “thankful”. It is a state or quality of being appreciative. It can arise spontaneously or we can make a conscious shift of awareness. When we choose to see the positive aspects of our existence, we cultivate the power of gratitude.

“Gratitude is the heart’s memory.” Although we are born with numerous and often temperamental tendencies, the brain is a muscle. Despite being the hardest muscle to train, you can work on strengthening your mind’s natural tendency for optimism. Working on your “gratitude muscle” can be an enjoyable experience. The benefits are worth the effort.

What are the benefits of cultivating gratitude?

Gratitude has been extensively researched and many studies show it has a positive impact on our well-being. It has been found that gratitude may:

• Protect you against burnout 
• Increase self-esteem
• Improve sleep & reduce fatigue
• Improve physical health
• Reduce symptoms of anxiety & depression
• Increase happiness and life satisfaction 
• Strengthen relationships 
• Increase work satisfaction (look for things you like about your work)
• Decrease materialism
• Enhances our capacity for presence, perspective, and possibility. 

Gratitude is an essential part of building resilience. When you’re going through tough times, it’s hard to remember to be grateful for the good things. It’s during these challenging times that regular practice of appreciation can help guide us back to achieving gratitude. 

“THE TINIEST CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE CAN TRANSFORM A LIFE” – Oprah Winfrey

A single word has the power to alter and strengthen areas in the frontal lobes of the brain, building resilience. This, in turn, can promote motivation and build resilience.

How to attain an attitude of gratitude? 

The following exercises/activities are excellent to begin cultivating gratitude in our daily lives

Gratitude Letter Writing 

Writing a letter is a great way to enhance gratitude. This could be a letter to ourselves or something we offer to someone else. Showing appreciation for someone that inspires you and brings you happiness or love. Letting them know that you are thankful benefits both you and them. Consider this a gift you can give.

Mindfulness Practices 

“Just like crossing a busy road”.  Stop – Stopping cultivates presence; Look – Looking cultivates perspective; Go – Going cultivates possibility. Mindfulness helps us to pay attention to our experiences. This enables us to notice and have awareness of our blessings.

Meditation and Yoga

Meditation helps us tune in to various aspects of our existence that we can give thanks for. Guided meditation may encourage you to give thanks for each breath you take or for the earth beneath you. These things can sometimes be overlooked in your gratefulness practice. Yoga is also a fantastic tool as it helps us to appreciate our bodies without judgment, increases flexibility and wellbeing both in the physical body and mind.

Club Active group fitness currently offers a 50-minute relaxation class that utilises a combination of yoga styles to help improve flexibility, lengthen muscles, relieve tension from the body and improve body awareness, alignment and posture. Yoga helps to relieve the effects of chronic stress, bringing the mind and body into a focused and relaxed state.

Gratitude Journal Practices 

A great practice either before going to sleep or on waking is to write a daily gratitude list. I invite you to start with just one point and work towards five. Eventually, you will find many reasons to feel blessed.

Stop comparing yourself to others – comparison is the thief of happiness 

Making comparisons causes unnecessary stress. We compare ourselves only to people that we perceive to have more, do more, and allow ourselves to feel inferior instead of inspired. Try comparing yourself to those who have less OR feel gratitude for the people in your life who inspire you. This will help bring you closer to gratitude. Making gratitude a routine is key.

Channel your gratitude at Club Active group fitness

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At Club Active, we offer classes to suit all levels of fitness. You can enjoy yoga, Pilates, Strength and Cardio, BoxFit, Pilates Reformer, and more! Group fitness is a great way to stay fit and healthy whilst socialising and making new friends.

A new wave of fun, functional and non-intimidating group fitness classes is COMING SOON. FIFTY | 50 By Club Active! At Club Active Burleigh NOW. Enquire to find out more about our group fitness classes and how to book.