Compassionate self inquiry and self care by taking care of the mind with grateful thoughts. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

S: Taking care of the mind with grateful thoughts
M: Client will self report in 1 week
A: Client will think of 1 thing they are grateful for right before bed.
R: Taking care of our mind with gratitude to help reduce stress, anxiety and making us feel happier
T: 1 week. Will ask client to think of 1 grateful thing right before bed

Male, 52 years old, high stress career. Constantly in high stress meetings, bi monthly work travel, stress of supporting family, has 2 children in college to pay for and 2 elderly parents to worry about. He has gout, gained weight in the last 2 years, sleep apnea, chronic back pain and some ringing in the ears.

This session was very organic. I had planned for something else but this time after check in, my client was very chatty and we spent most of the session chatting. As my client was talking, I soon began to realized that he doesn't really appreciate the many things in his life. He's always moving on to the next thing hence, this is how gratitude came to be.

Patanjali's 8 Limb Path: Limb 2 - Niyama - Saucha – purity, cleanliness & Santosha – contentment, gratitude
Raja Yoga - Sutra 2.42 - From contentment there flows the most supreme happiness and joy
Hatha Yoga - Yoga Nidra

This time after check in, my client was more chatty about life and the contemplation of life. I asked him if he was ever thankful for the life he has created, the things, people that makes him happy. I showed him some scientific research that suggests a daily gratitude practice taps into neuroplasticity, “the brain's ability to modify, change and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experiences”. Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits and studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can also decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.

Client's homework: before bed, think of 1 thing that he is grateful for, no matter how small or how big.

No, I didn't apply my intended plan when I met with the client. Although, my initial planned goal was not achieved, I did achieve something even better. My goal as a yoga therapist (in training) is to always let the client lead and apply my many trainings as I think fit. This time, my client just wanted to talk as I listened. The gratitude suggestion and assignment came organically. As my client spoke, I realized he moves too fast through life and always on to the next thing. He never really stops to appreciate what he just accomplished, those who helped him or the object that made his life easier. He never appreciated just how rich his life is and how much he has to be thankful for.

Yes, I adapted my plan. The lesson I learned was to trust myself. Sometimes I feel like I'm an imposter becoming a yoga therapist and passing on the teachings of Integral Yoga (imposter syndrome). This session made me stop and think that I am on the right path and I should continue to be of service to others.

Yes, I would approach it the same way. Although I didn't execute my initial plan, a more valuable lesson was experienced for myself and my client. He comes to me every week and puts his trust in me to help him. Lately, I've been feeling like I have imposter syndrome with becoming a yoga therapist but I realized my path is to be of service to others and I do have what it takes. As for my client, he realized he has so much to be grateful for.

• The-Neuroscience-of-Gratitude-and-Effects-on-the-Brain.pdf
• Giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier-Harvard-Health.pdf
• Expressing-gratitude-to-improve-health-Mayo-Clinic-Health-System.pdf