by Dr. Donna Jagielski, published in the Holiday 2024 Gratitude Issue
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Gratitude flows effortlessly when life is going well. Thanking God for good health, safe and secure shelter, love of family and friends, and successful career/schooling is accessible when it is the current experience. Yet, how often is God praised, even in times of joy, success, and triumph? When the mortgage loan is approved, the reason cited is because of an excellent job with high pay. But where did that opportunity come from? A good lead? Seeing it on job websites? Dial it back. Who ultimately was the most significant lead in finding that job opportunity with good pay to lead to the approved mortgage loan? “In all matters, praise God.” (Psalm 34:1-3). Although, the greatest challenge is discovering gratitude when life is not going as planned. A layoff at work, a death or separation in a relationship, unable to secure a mortgage loan, or even worse, an eviction notice. Typically, during difficult times, there is a loss of appreciation for what does remain and exists. Additionally, feelings of frustration, confusion, depression, and sometimes even anger toward God arise, questioning how He would allow His children to experience such struggles.
In times of distress, first, think of the suffering Jesus endured, and it will surely pale in comparison to any suffering that anyone on earth experiences. Second, God does not send any hardship that one cannot overcome. Difficult times are meant to challenge faith. It is easy to give up and believe the phrase, “God must hate me,” which is ultimately surrendering to the enemy. The belief that God is mean is trickery conjured up by the enemy. Whatever arises in life is ultimately overcome because God loves and cares deeply for all His children.
Since there are so many facets of life, such as work/school/career, house/home, family, relationships/marriage, friends, health, and finances, inevitably, some aspects will be out of alignment at almost any given moment. The idea of maintaining perfect lives in all areas is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube! Just FYI – yoga teachers are human also and may experience additional stress when facing life challenges, yet they are somehow responsible for uplifting students.
Granted, transparency is of the utmost importance when building and maintaining relationships in the yoga space and living out Christian values, yet how much is TMI (too much information)? If too much information is shared during difficult times, students may experience even greater despair. Individuals attend yoga to be uplifted and filled with hope by the yoga teacher. It is advised not to personally ‘unload’ in yoga training programs when teaching. Yet, where is the delicate balance between displaying the human side of struggling to find gratitude while coping with challenges and wearing the mask to perform a job where people expect strength and stability?
First, in all instances, turning to scripture will provide guidance. Begin class with the scriptures relating the time leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. This is the ultimate example of difficult times. Not only did Jesus experience physical pain through whipping and crowns of thorns, but also emotional and mental anguish of being mocked and abandoned by his closest disciples through denial and disloyalty. Beginning from this most intense example illustrates how difficult human times pale in comparison.
The second is to open a class session with honesty and empathy. As humans, it is acceptable to disclose a brief statement or two about current challenges in life, yet be cautious not to burden students by unloading unnecessary information. Remember that one reason people attend yoga is because they need support. Supporting scripture by adding a few general quotes that provide comfort, empathy, and compassion can always be included.
Suggestions of general quotes:
- Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
- Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. (Arthur Ashe)
- Don’t ask for a lighter load; ask for a stronger back.
- The storm also beats on the house that is built on a rock.
Third and lastly, gratitude should be integrated into poses and sequences, especially ones that are typically challenging, such as balance poses. A few examples are:
Warrior III
Scripture: Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Flying through the air, soaring to new heights. One limb is planted on the ground. Extending arms and legs, feeling that stretch. Recognize how often feeling stretched beyond our limits, yet the Lord never gives us anything we can’t handle. He is always there to guide our flight and ground our planted foot. Trusting in balance poses is difficult. The ego wishes to take over as we aim to be perfectly centered. Yet, what is perfectly centered? Perfectly centered is knowing that our Lord surrounds our flight with the Holy Spirit within us.
Crow
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you.
Discovering strength in our core and knowing you can hold yourself to a point. You fly, soar, and balance on the edge of life because of the strength God provides. As you feel yourself tipping forward to achieve that center balance, examine and identify the tipping points in life. The tipping point is when we are disconnected from God. When we achieve that sweet spot of balance where it is effortless effort, we are the times when we are fully connected and present with Christ.
Plank
Scripture: Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Pushing against the earth. Feeling the earth rise to meet us. Feeling the strength in our core and arms, pushing down to push up and feeling the belly draw up and in. Knowing our physical strength comes from the core, center, and all that radiates from what is inside from the inside out. Trusting and using the gut is not frivolous rather, it is tuning in and hearing the messages from Christ and bridging the mind and the gut into one action of hearing the messages of God. The burning in our core is the fiery flames that ignite our passion, belief, and trust in the Lord.
Camel
Scripture: Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule inside your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Opening the heart can be challenging yet so rewarding. Vulnerability can be seen as weak, where one risks being taken advantage of. Yet, we can not accomplish God’s work with closed hearts. We must open our hearts to love, compassion, empathy, and acceptance. As we open our hearts, we raise our hearts, feeling the heartstrings pull us upwards, closer to heaven, closer to the Lord. He raises our hearts. He keeps our hearts safe from harm. Lean back, lean in, press forward. Give your heart to God.
Inversions: Headstand and handstand
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
There are times, indeed, as though we feel our lives have been turned upside down. Sometimes, it is utterly flipped upside down. Sometimes, feeling like a capsized boat. A feeling sometimes intertwined with confusion, disorder, and jumble. With our hands and core, we balance even upside down. Being upside down provides a new and different perspective on life and the world around us. Knowing that we have not been meant to be permanently upside down, we will eventually land one foot and the other down gracefully upon the earth and return to our upright standing position. Nothing stays the same forever. But until then, until we return to our upright position, we remain upside down. Take a breath and enjoy the view. View the glass half full rather than empty. Know that the Lord has you by the feet and ankles, supporting your suspended inverted pose. You are not hanging out here alone. You are firmly rooted, just this time by your hands. These hands do the work of the Lord each day. The hands that take care of others, that build, create. Allow your hands to take root to grow yourself differently in a way that will provide newfound views, strength, endurance, and agility.