How It Works
1. Daily Gratitude Journaling
Each day, you will reflect and write down 2-3 experiences you are grateful for. To support your reflections, we will offer prompts which relate to the weekly themes. These prompts are guides, but you are always free to express gratitude for what feels most authentic.
2. Meditation and Movement
- At the kick-off class, we will gather for yoga and meditation to set our intention and begin together.
- Over three weekly themes, we will explore short home practices to connect a sense of gratitude with your body, mind and breath.
- At the studio, there will be a variety of events to participate in, including yoga nidra, intuitive movement, guided meditation, and more.
- We will close with a wind-up class, with snacks and tea, to informally share the insights and meet the community that has emerged.
3. Expression of Gratitude Practice
Each week, you will be invited to express gratitude in an intentional act. This might be a kind word to someone you appreciate, a small act of generosity, or a gesture of care for your body or environment. These simple expressions turn inward reflection into outward connection.
4. Gratitude Board at the Studio
You are invited to share your expressions of gratitude by posting a note on the gratitude board at the studio. Or, read and reflect on others' experiences of gratitude.
Weekly Themes
- Week 1: Gratitude for Self and Body (October 17th - 23rd)
Appreciate the ways your body and inner resources carry you through life.
- Week 2: Gratitude for Relationships (October 24th - 31st)
Recognize the people who support, challenge, and inspire you.
- Week 3: Gratitude for the World Around Us (November 1st - 8th)
Expand your awareness to the broader circle, including community, environment, and daily circumstances that sustain you.
Why Join?
This challenge is for anyone who wants to:
- Cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation and contentment
- Strengthen connections with themselves, others, and the world
- Create a daily practice that grounds and uplifts
- Experience the benefits of gratitude in both mind and body
- Support our local community through Share Family and Community Services
You do not need prior experience in yoga or meditation. Just bring your curiosity and willingness.
This is a community fundraiser. There is no additional cost beyond using your yoga pass to attend classes and events. Contributions will go to Share Family and Community Services.
References:
- “Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness and may even lengthen lives.” Harvard Health Publishing. Shows links between gratitude, better emotional and social well-being, improved sleep quality, and health markers. (Harvard Health)
- “Practicing Gratitude — NIH News in Health.” Early research summarized showing that intentional gratitude habits help with stress coping, emotional health, and physical markers such as cardiovascular risk. (NIH News in Health)
- Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2009). Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep cognitions. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. — Gratitude is associated with more positive pre-sleep thoughts, fewer negative ones, which in turn relate to better sleep. (Greater Good)
- “Longitudinal Associations of Gratitude with Subjective Well-Being and Psychological Well-Being.” (2024). Study showing gratitude predicts life satisfaction and psychological well-being over time. (SpringerLink)
- Baylor University, “Cultivating Gratitude, Strengthening Social Bonds.” Reports research showing that intentional gratitude supports interpersonal connectedness and community ties. (research.baylor.edu)
