Several years ago I participated in a yoga challenge during November. During this challenge, the participants were to take a picture of themselves in the daily yoga pose and post to social media. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and wanted to recreate it this year! Thus the Yoga Gratitude Challenge was born!

If you are interested in participating all you have to do is follow me on Instagram @msangiecalcote for the pose of the day. Then attempt the pose, snap a picture of yourself in the pose, and post it to Instagram (and/or Facebook) with a list of 5 things you are grateful for that day. The list of things you are grateful for can be small things like your daily cup of coffee, a hot shower, a good nights rest, whatever is making you happy at that moment. The goal of this challenge is for us to slow down and look at the little things in life that everyone else may not have.

Isn’t that the point of Thanksgiving in the first place? During the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas people often start to look at those less fortunate in their community. We collect toys and coats, serve food to the homeless, and are kinder to strangers than any other time of year.  But what if we took a moment every day to look at what we are thankful for in our lives? Would we appreciate the little things more? Would we appreciate each other more?

During the last 31 days, I have been doing a daily gratitude journal where I write down 10 things I am grateful for each day. It has really opened my eyes to the things I take for granted. Both of my parents are alive and healthy, my children, husband and I are healthy, I have a comfortable home and a car that gets me where I need to go. We have a lovely family and friends that check on us and celebrate with us.

I am blessed beyond measure, and I want each of you to see the blessings in your lives as well. To say the past year or so has been difficult is an understatement. My family has endured loss after loss, but we have made it through and have hope for the future.

I challenge you to join me in my attempt at sharing gratitude with the world, even if it is just the tiny amount of people who can see my Instagram post. I have shared a list of the poses for each day as well as links to descriptions and advice with each pose. Post your pictures with the hashtag #yogagratitudechallenge and your list of 5 things you are grateful for. Don’t get caught up in how you look in the pose, focus on the gratitude. I know that many of you are new to yoga and I urge you to give it a try. Yoga has done amazing things in my life, and I know it can do amazing things in yours.

November Poses

• Mountain Pose
• Chair Pose
• Forward Fold
• Plank Pose
• Downward Facing Dog
• Warrior I
• Warrior II
• Extended Side Angle Pose
• Triangle Pose
• High Lunge
• Reverse Warrior Pose
• Humble Warrior
• Cat Pose
• Cow Pose
• Child’s Pose
• Hero Pose
• Camel Pose
• Gate Pose
• Tree Pose
• Lord of the Dance Pose
• Wide Leg Forward Bend
• Goddess Pose
• Pigeon Pose
• Cobblers Pose
• Head to Knee Pose
• Seated Forward Bend
• Reclined Twist
• Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
• Boat Pose
• Savasana