As the golden leaves fall and the air turns crisp, November arrives as an invitation to turn inward. Nature begins to quiet itself, reminding us that there is power in slowing down and beauty in stillness. At Grow Your Tree Yoga, this month we embrace gratitude as our guiding light — not just as a feeling, but as a practice that restores balance, deepens connection, and nourishes the soul.

Gratitude is more than a fleeting thought of appreciation; it is a way of being. When we consciously cultivate gratitude, our breath softens, our hearts expand, and our perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance. Modern science affirms what ancient yogis already knew — gratitude calms the nervous system, supports immunity, and gently rewires the mind toward joy. Each inhale becomes an act of receiving life’s blessings, and each exhale a release of what we no longer need to carry.

As we explore gratitude this month, we also honor the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which teaches that late autumn and early winter align with the Water element, governed by the Kidney and Urinary Bladder meridians. These energy channels are the keepers of our vitality, courage, and willpower — our deep reserves of life force. When the Water element is in balance, we feel calm, clear, and resilient. When it’s depleted, fear, fatigue, and uncertainty can surface. Through mindful movement, deep breathing, and restorative postures, we’ll replenish these inner waters, cultivating gratitude for the strength and wisdom that dwell within us.

This season’s focus also flows beautifully with the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) — the energetic center of emotion, creativity, and fluidity. Like water, the Sacral Chakra teaches us to move with, rather than against, the currents of life. Gratitude nourishes this chakra by transforming heaviness into appreciation and resistance into trust. In our classes this month, you’ll experience wave-like sequencing, hip-opening postures, and fluid transitions that help you reconnect with your natural rhythm and emotional flow.

Our featured mudra for November is Ishvara Mudra, a sacred hand gesture symbolizing surrender and devotion. With palms open and fingers softly interlaced, this mudra invites us to release control and align with something greater than ourselves — the universal intelligence that holds and guides us. Practicing Ishvara Mudra in meditation helps anchor gratitude in the heart, reminding us that we are never separate from the divine current flowing through all things. Surrender here does not mean giving up; it means trusting deeply in the unfolding of life.

As daylight fades and the world grows quieter, we also turn toward the practice of pratyahara, the gentle withdrawal of the senses. Pratyahara is the art of drawing energy inward — not as an escape from the world, but as a return to our inner home. Through meditation and stillness, we learn to listen more deeply and discover that gratitude naturally blooms in silence. When we rest in that quiet space, appreciation arises effortlessly, not as something we do, but as something we are.

This November at Grow Your Tree Yoga, we’ll journey together through gratitude-centered yoga flows and meditation practices. Each class will weave together breath-work to nourish the kidneys and urinary bladder, gentle movement to balance the Sacral Chakra, and moments of stillness to awaken the heart. Our intention is to help you cultivate a sense of trust in your body, peace in your mind, and reverence in your spirit.
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As we move into the darker months, may we remember that gratitude is our inner light — a quiet flame that continues to burn even when the world outside slows and cools. Together, let’s root into gratitude, release what we no longer need, and allow our inner waters to flow freely.
Join us on the mat this month as we root, rise, and remember the wholeness already within. ​

There are times when words fall away, and only vibration remains — a resonance that reaches the very core of our being. In November, Grow Your Tree Yoga is introducing weekly 30-minute sound healing sessions, an opportunity to rest, reset, and reconnect. Through the gentle tones of crystal bowls and other instruments, you’ll be guided into a meditative state where tension melts and the body naturally returns to balance.

Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses vibration to harmonize the physical, emotional, and energetic bodies. Because we are largely made of water, these sound waves move easily through us, encouraging deep relaxation and helping to release stored stress. Many participants experience improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and a renewed sense of clarity and peace. Each tone resonates with different energy centers — softening the heart, freeing emotion in the sacral space, and creating flow throughout the body.

Each 30-minute session invites you to simply lie down, breathe, and receive. The sound does the work, guiding you into a state of calm awareness where healing naturally unfolds. Whether you join after a long day or pair it with your yoga practice, sound healing offers a sanctuary for your nervous system and spirit. Come as you are, leave renewed — and let the power of sound help you root, rise, and remember your inner harmony.

It's mental health month. Here is a really good article sharing about the benefits of yoga that also provides great links to resources that help support mental health. 

Remember to love yourself enough to honor your mental health. 

I came across this and thought it would be something for us all to remember from time to time. 

Feel free to contact me with your questions by either calling 210-872-1510 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]

Have questions about yoga? Or maybe want some insight on helping you take time for yourself and the wellness of your body and soul? Feel free to leave comments or e-mail me directly by clicking on the e-mail address above with our other contact information.