Everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving looks forward to the Thanksgiving feast. It appeals to the glutton in all of us, a nearly endless buffet of appetizers, dinner, and desserts. From the green bean casserole, to the main meal of turkey and stuffing, to the final slice of pumpkin pie, no one is complaining…

…until the meal is over.

That is when the endless moans of “I’m so full”, “I ate too much”, or “It’s nap time” begin. While it is always a part of the Thanksgiving tradition, it doesn’t have to result in a belly ache.

Here are a few yoga poses you can do after your Thanksgiving feast to aid the digestion process and help that feast move a little faster. Please wait at least 60 minutes before doing these poses to allow the food to settle.

1. Cat/Cow

2. Downward Facing Dog

3. Goddess Squat

4. Seated Twists

5. Reclined knee to chest

6. Supine Twists

7. Reclined Goddess Pose

8. Savasana

Enjoy these poses and mix them up as much or as little as you want! Be thankful for the meal you just had, but also for the ability to work it off!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November is a month dedicated to being thankful and expressing gratitude. Most of the month is spent planning family gatherings and meals surrounding this idea of expressing gratitude for the things and people we have in life.

Incorporating gratitude into your yoga practice isn’t as hard or time consuming as planning that big Thanksgiving Day meal.

Here are a few simple ways to incorporate gratitude into your yoga practice and subsequently, into your every day life.

1. When setting your intention for your practice, let it be the simple word of appreciation. Feel this appreciation as you flow through your asanas (poses) and enjoy the breath as you practice your pranayama (breath).
2. Use your asanas as a means of offering your thanks to yourself. Express that appreciation with a smile on your face and a deep breath in your lungs.
3. During your meditation, imagine your blessings. Imagine all the loved ones in your life showing appreciation for all the good you have done.
4. Focus on the strives you’ve made both in your yoga practice and in your life! Use these positive moves to guide your mood for the day.
5. Savasana. Don’t skip it. Relish in it. Be thankful for it.