In “Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1”, I told you about the blessing that guided our Thanksgiving Yoga Savasana, our time of deep relaxation that comes toward the end of a yoga class.

But, you knew I couldn’t let class end without just a few more words about gratitude.

After all, each week I am filled with deep gratitude for the people who take time out of their busy days and lives to join me on their yoga mats.  I am so uplifted and inspired by the yoga practices of those of you who unroll your mats with me each week.  I’m overwhelmed by your coolness, your kindness, your wisdom, and your sense of humor and adventure!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And so, as in all of our classes, we end with a bit of stillness, a bit of meditation.  And … for our Thanksgiving class this year … these words:

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson

Feeling Blessed? Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for the Gratitude Savasana and Energy Bridge instruction:Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

And, here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

This week was our Thanksgiving Yoga class … one of my favorite classes, and I love to share it with people who have been unrolling their mats with me for nearly 10 years now, as well as with those who have just come to enjoy and benefit from a yoga practice.

For nearly a decade, I closed my Thanksgiving Class with the beautiful and sweet blessing from W.E.B. DuBois “Give Us Thankful Hearts”.  If you don’t know it, I encourage you to give it a click.

This year, I offered two blessings.

The first came during Savasana, our time of relaxation and release.  While absorbing the fruits of our yoga practice we lit the fire of our true heart of kindness.  And, then we connected our warm heart light with the hearts of those for whom we are grateful … friends, family, and others … who inspire, uplift, support, and care for, and about, us through good times and bad.  We built an energy bridge … our heart connected to the hearts of so many others.

And, the blessing that guided us was this:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”    ~ Albert Schweitzer

Of course, we needn’t wait until Thanksgiving to build an Energy Bridge of gratitude to those who care for us.  But, it’s a nice reminder just the same.

The Thanksgiving blessing for our meditation during class is beautiful, too.  So beautiful that it deserves its own entry …

Feeling Blessed?  Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for another beautiful blessing that guided our meditation at the end of one Thanksgiving Yoga class: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

Here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

In this month of Thanksgiving … a poem of gratitude from Harriett Kofalk (author of The Peaceful Cook):

Awakening in a moment of peace
I give thanks
To the source of all peace

As I set forth into the day
The birds sing with new voices
And I listen with new ears
And give thanks

Nearby
The flower called Angel’s Trumpet
Blows in the breeze
And I give thanks

My feet touch the grass
Still wet with dew
And I give thanks
Both to my mother earth
For sustaining my steps
And to the seas
Cycling once again
To bring forth new life

The dewdrops
Become jeweled
With the morning’s sun-fire
And I give thanks

You can see forever
When the vision is clear
In this moment
Each moment
I give thanks

Feeling Blessed? Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for the Gratitude Savasana and Energy Bridge instruction:Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

Click here for another beautiful blessing that guided our meditation at the end of one Thanksgiving Yoga class: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

And, here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light