Gratitude

The Corona virus pandemic has understandably increased feelings of anxiety and worry about our physical and mental helath, that of our friends and famililies, our bank balances, jobs and security. Many people in the older age bracket or in isolation due to illness can also feel bored and lonely and the conflicting views and advice can also add an element of confusion and fear. For so many of us, it can be easy to get swallowed up in these thoughts. It might be helpful to note that our brain is where we think and our heart is where we feel. We often use these terms interchangably but there is a clear difference. When we consider that our subconscious mind runs the show, Up to 95% of our thoughts are habitual and looping thought patterns, leaving only 5% conscious thought, it can be quite alarming that we trust our brain and thoughts so much! The heart is the most powerful source of electromagnetic energy in the human body, producing the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of any of the body's organs. This field, measured in the form of an electrocardiogram (ECG), can be detected anywhere on the surface of the body. The electro magnetic field of the heart radiates approximately 7 feet from the body, up to 60 times more powerfully than other areas of the body. Gratitude is measurably THE most powerful emotion, stronger than love, fear or anger. A quick google search shows that gratitude is ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.’ This is a positive emotion (energy in motion) and when we take time to hold and practice positivity, it grows - just like in a gym we build our muscles by repeating actions, in the continuous practice of gratitude and positivity, we flex our positive and grateful responses. This is neuro plasticity, which I will delve deeper into in a blog soon! Gratitude is the feeling right now that ‘I have or can focus on what really matters, no matter how difficult this moment might be’. We can transform fear and anxiety to peace, happiness, and gratitude by focussing on the positive aspects of our lives. We can uplevel our gratitude with practice and persistence. Just as yoga is a practice, so is gratitude! I am grateful for every day for my health, the sunshine, our community and for the kindness I see around me - from the wave of a stranger walking by, to the appreciation we have for our NHS. I am especially grateful to my Dad who helped me put this website together so quickly to align with my new class structure being fully online at the moment! My Dad has transormed his health over the last few years from feeling old, unwell and breathless with sinus and chest problems to cycling, lifting weights, usng a vibration plate and more. He is an inspiration. At 76 years of age, he just gets younger! I like to think I am keeping his brain healthy with all the website design questions I keep firing at him!! Namaste