It's a simple phrase we are taught at a young age and encouraged relentlessly to use. Share your appreciation and embrace an attitude of gratitude. However, sometimes these eight letters don’t quite cut it. Sometimes you need to say more, to show your appreciation in a bigger way.

The gratitude postcard that over 200 Montrealers recently sent out.

letters that move the world

Over 150 yogis gathered on a chilly, -22 degree Friday night at the Montreal Athletics Association for the Expressions of Gratitude event hosted by the four lululemon athletica stores on the island of Montreal. This evening of yoga, meditation and chocolate truffles was inspired by the book "Letters that Move the World” that explores the magical feeling of knowing someone is truly grateful for you. We all know this feeling: it a warm tingle of happiness and a sense of pride to know that you matter to someone else. This, of course, can be reversed: to show another how much you appreciate them.

Ambassador Melissa Colleret lead a yoga class before the postcard-writing began.

the science of gratitude

One of the two authors, Jason Loken, spoke to this feeling and described the physiological changes that have been measured in the body. The changes in hormones, neurotransmitters and heart rate literally transform our being. Ambassador Melissa Colleret used this as a reference point to create a class that flowed through our favourite poses. Each pose expressed gratitude, appreciation and compassion through the body, a path that our hearts followed. The asana practice linked to a guided meditation as Mel encouraged the guests to dig deep and connect with a space of gratitude inside them.

Melissa taught that when you practice compassion in your body, your heart will follow.

who are you grateful for?

Who are you grateful for? Is it a friend, a co-worker, the gentleman who drives the bus or the girl who serves you your morning coffee? Once a person stood out, the guests were given the opportunity to write a postcard to these individuals. We mailed out over 200 postcards; 200 pebbles tossed into a mailbox to cause tiny waves that can grow into a tidal effect of gratitude.

Take some time to say thanks.

tell them

The simplicity of bringing a pen to paper to write a postcard to say ‘thank you’ comes from the choice to act. It starts with one person choosing to act first rather than waiting for others. Gandhi’s well-known encouragement to ‘be the change we want to see in the world’ can propel us forward with the knowledge that ‘my life matters’ and each of us can be that person who acts for another.

Who would you share your gratitude with? Who would you address your postcard to?

today i'm grateful for...

It’s a question I began asking myself every day, as a way to reflect. I wasn’t surprised after a few days of this practice to find myself noticing things in a whole new way and appreciating them like never before. What I didn’t realize was that by doing this every day, I was becoming, well, happier.

I began this daily habit when a friend of mine introduced me to an app she and her business partner were developing: 1THINGapp.com. It acts as a gratitude journal where you can either keep the things you are grateful for private or share them anonymously with the world. Every day, one of the ‘gratitudes’ that have been shared are illustrated by an artist.

"Sun Saluations" illustrated by Mike Ellis

I was so moved by this project with 1THINGapp.com that I wanted to pose the question with the Wanderlust community in Whistler. After all, yoga is the ultimate celebration of gratitude. I had created a “Before I Die” wall in Vancouver earlier this year and was astounded by the way people engaged with the wall.

Photo Credit: Dana Ramler

Inspired, I created a spinoff for Wanderlust. A giant blackboard with the words “Today I’m grateful for…” was set up in Whistler village. Buckets of chalk were left out and people were invited to share what they were grateful for that day. Each morning of the four-day festival, the wall was cleaned and put out and every day by lunch it was full. The responses were incredible. Grateful for everything from loved ones, sunshine, fresh clean air and new adventures to health, dreams coming true, mountains and freedom. People shared and the wall was bursting with gratitude.

Photo Credit: Dana Ramler

What I find most incredible about these projects is the impact of seeing the gratitude of others and its effect on me. I am continually touched, moved and inspired by what people are appreciative of and further inspired in my own life of things to be grateful for. It’s like gratitude is contagious!

Thanksgiving (a day dedicated to sharing gratitude) is coming up but we can’t help but wonder about the other 364 days of the year. Take a moment, pause and reflect. What are you grateful for today? And maybe try sharing it with the rest of the world, you never know who you’ll inspire!

Our ambassador Holly brings her practice to the Soho community

Before you can set powerful goals, you need to identify what your values are. We asked to get a peek at Holly’s recent pursuits. Her response? “I am in the process of altering my goals AGAIN.” No problem - that's perfect. We explored what it takes to get clarity on the goal setting process. She thinks of it like trying on clothes. We like the sound of that.

Setting goals is a ongoing process for me. Sometimes defining them in words can be daunting. I’ve come to think of it as trying on clothes – there’s no need to commit, you can just see how they fit. By saying your goals out loud and writing them on paper, you try them on. Some fit better than others and that’s ok. Through the process of goal setting, we find our authentic voice and can articulate what we want to live for - but it isn't without effort. It’s something I’m working on right now. It is not easy. Things worth doing are seldom easy.

where to start

Sometimes we can get stuck on where to begin. A good place to start is to identify what moves you. I’ve discovered there are a few themes I live by, like a personal manifesto. They cultivate my inner space and create my outer experience.  They are my foundation for setting powerful goals. 

holly's themes

• The world is coming from you, not at you.    
• Love is more powerful than fear.  
• Gratitude is the greatest currency.  
• Be kind and gentle with yourself. 

I'm focusing on these as I create my future. Time to grab my journal and hit the dressing room, so to speak.

where to go from here

• Get the basics on goal setting. We can help.
• Re-ignite your goal setting fire. Read this post.
• Check out what else Holly is up to in Soho and beyond. Visit her site.

We’re inspired. Still haven’t penned your goals? No worries. Start by focusing on what inspires you. What will you try on? 

Be the change. - Gandhi

When I decided to take my yoga teacher training I tried to put my expectations on a leash. I tried not to imagine all the wonderful changes that would occur; I tried not to focus on what a present, calm, ideal yogi I would become. I tried.

Expectations are the fastest way to set yourself up for disappointment. The path of yoga is not about what you were or what you will become; it's about being present in each moment. There's no easy path to become the person you aspire to be, but with a conscious mind and open heart you can learn to accept yourself as you are and let that love and acceptance help you grow.

I recently went for some spiritual counseling from a yogini. What struck me the most was learning that I don't need to "figure it all out". My dharma or duty was to simply bring gratitude and contentment into my daily life. It doesn't matter if I hit the mat every day (especially if I stress myself to get there). What matters most is taking the lessons I learn from yoga and applying them to my every day life off of the mat - to respect the earth, to remember that we are all one, to believe in my divinity and that of those around me, to be truthful, and to follow the Yamas (guidelines on how to treat others and interact with society) and Niyamas (guidelines on how to treat yourself).

Since that visit I have told myself daily what I am grateful for, even if all I can think of in that moment is remembering to be grateful in the first place. This small change has caused a ripple affect in my life. The veil of expectation has been lifted and I accept that I am exactly where I need to be in life in this very moment. I also accept that though I may forget from time to time - I am divine. We all are. It is simply our duty to remember.

Read about the great gratitude for yoga teachers like Jessika in our blog post My Love Affair with the Yoga Teachers of the World.

Above: Tori and Rachel, two leaders from our Plaza El Segundo store.

It’s surreal to be sitting here writing about what it means to be 50. I can tell you that I don’t really feel any different. I’m still the same me.

I have been dancing and moving since the age of 4, so I grew up with a keen awareness of my body, and what it felt like to move through space. I had a short professional dancing career in my mid 20s to early 30s, and also taught group exercise throughout my whole adult life. So, arriving at 50 was simply a graceful transition.

In the past few years, lululemon has become a big part of my life, and I have worn our products almost daily. I was hired as a store educator over two years ago, and have continued to make living a healthy balanced life a priority. I get to work and work out with some amazing people that help to keep me young at heart.

I was married and had both my kids in my 20s. Danced professionally and taught aerobics through my 20s, 30s and continue to teach today. I am currently teaching a Barre Workout at Barre Physique in Manhattan Beach, California. I feel healthy and fit, and know that living an active lifestyle has helped me to reach this age and know that I have so much still to do! I’ve been married for over 27 years and my husband Jim and I enjoy a wonderful marriage. With our children grown, we are having the time of our lives.

I have to be honest though, and mention that I did have moments of panic at the idea of being 50. Then a thought came to me, which continues to inspire me to seize this moment. There will come a time when I only wish I was 50 again. So I am embracing this moment and celebrating the life I have lived so far, and know that I will continue to inspire and encourage those around me to live each day with gratitude and praise.

I know it’s kind of a cliché, but like a fine wine, I only get better with age. Cheers!