Honoring Change
Kindness and gratitude have become sacred companions in my yoga practice, especially as I grow older. Once I turned forty-six, I began to notice subtle but undeniable changes in my body. The days of pushing myself to catch my foot in King Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana), flowing endlessly through vinyasas, or chasing the perfect aesthetic alignment are officially behind me.
And that’s perfectly okay. Over time, I’ve learned to be kinder and gentler with my body, and to feel deeply grateful that I can still move, breathe, and practice yoga.It’s natural for our practice to evolve as we do. Focusing on form and flexibility can teach us valuable lessons in patience, discipline, and self-discovery. As yoga reminds us through svādhyāya (self-study) every phase of practice has something to reveal if we’re willing to listen.
The Heart of Kindness
Kindness is an outward expression of empathy, compassion, and awareness. It’s not only about what we do, but the spirit with which we do it—how we respond to life with gentleness and care. A kind person, in my experience, is patient, understanding, and mindful of the long view rather than seeking quick rewards.
In today’s world, where almost everything can be achieved with a single click, slowing down to act kindly can feel like swimming upstream. Yet kindness doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful. It reveals itself in simple gestures—someone holding a door open, listening with full attention, or staying beside you when life feels heavy. These small acts ripple outward in ways we may never see.
On the mat, kindness becomes a quiet practice of awareness. It’s choosing to soften where we once strained, to rest when we need to, and to meet our body’s limits with respect instead of resistance. Each compassionate choice toward ourselves or others strengthens the heart’s capacity to love.
The Spirit of Gratitude
If kindness moves outward, gratitude moves inward. It is the tender recognition of all that nourishes us—our health, our breath, the beauty of nature, the love and care we receive from others. Gratitude asks us to pause and notice what’s already here, rather than what’s missing.
For me, gratitude often arises in simple moments—watching a full moon illuminate the night sky, feeling the warmth of sunlight through a window, or hearing the steady rhythm of my own breath. These quiet experiences remind me how precious it is just to be alive.
Yet gratitude isn’t always effortless. When life presents challenges—when uncertainty clouds the mind or past pain resurfaces—it can be difficult to feel thankful. That’s when gratitude becomes a deeper practice of mindfulness: a deliberate choice to look for light, even when the path feels dim. Each time we notice something good, however small, we reconnect with the heart’s natural sense of wholeness.
Living with Kindness and Gratitude
Kindness and gratitude are like two wings of the same bird—each supports the other in flight. When we act with kindness, we awaken gratitude in those around us; when we practice gratitude, our hearts naturally grow more kind.
Both qualities invite us to soften the edges of striving and embrace life as it is. They remind us that we are already whole, already enough, simply by being present. Every gentle breath, every kind thought, every quiet thank-you is both a blessing received and a blessing offered back to the world.