Yoga Off the Mat: A Gratitude Practice based in Science

Whenever I see gratitude practices shared on social media or in newsletters like this, they often promote keeping a ‘gratitude journal’.

I was fascinated to learn recently that while a gratitude journal is a lovely practice, it’s the least effective in terms of changing your actual physiological state.

What the research does show is that the reception of gratitude from others is the most powerful way to change our physical bodies – helping to improve HRV, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and regulate stress hormones. 

It’s quite unrealistic to go around asking friends and family to directly share their gratitude for you more often but there are specific gratitude practices we can use that do a better job of triggering this same parasympathetic state in the body (which keeping a gratitude journal does not do).

It turns out that listening to stories where someone is receiving gratitude, and then reflecting on the feelings those stories bring up, allows us to mimic the same physiological response we have when we directly receive gratitude.

When I learned this, my very first thought was to recommend a podcast that I love (and used to share with my students back in my elementary school teaching days) called StoryCorps. It’s a wonderful audio journal of conversations between people about life, love, loss, family, and friendship. It’s a great starting point for those looking to develop a more meaningful and effective gratitude practice. 

I always end my classes with an expression of gratitude for everyone in the room – and I hope that you receive and understand the sincerity in that expression each and every time!

Studio Events

1. Starting 10/28, practice Vinyasa on Wednesdays with Adri at 5:30! We’re excited to offer another evening Vinyasa class on Wednesdays! Classes are already set up in PunchPass starting the 28th. Note that the 4pm Vinyasa will pause starting on 10/28, returning in the coming months as a 4pm Slow Flow.
2. Calling all Yoga Teachers – 2 spots left in our Advanced Study Intensive! Are you a yoga teacher looking for an opportunity to improve your understanding of Pranayama, breath mechanics, and cueing breath during asana? Join guest teacher Sara Basile for a 2.5 hour workshop at BDY, designed to increase your confidence and toolkit for cueing breath. Purchase a ticket here – only 2 spots left!
3. BDY’s first Merch Drop is coming soon! Shirts and sweatshirts are designed, and the store is built. We’re just waiting for some samples to arrive then your first chance to purchase BDY merch will be live! I’m anticipating the store to open the week of Oct 20th. Expect fall colors, spooky skeletons, and cozy cotton Remember: Unlimited and Namaste members get 20% off all merch!  Discount code will be shared directly when the store opens.