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One second you’re cooking a large, scrumptious vegan turkey, the next you’re tackling angry relatives. From empty plates to full stomachs and an Instagram photo dump that’s taking up half your phone’s gallery space, Thanksgiving seems to have everything, and yet something seems amiss. You can add more depth and spiritual richness to your Thanksgiving rituals with some meditation and yoga this year.
It’s time to slow down, feel good, and embrace a little zen amidst all the festive chaos as you chow down another slice of pumpkin pie.
Okay, we know what you’re thinking: “Morning yoga on Thanksgiving? Do I really need to roll out my mat before rolling into the kitchen?”
Hear us out: starting your day with some goodness of slow, mindful stretching can totally change your vibration for the entire day. It can give you the much-needed cheer for your soul as you power through a busy day of prep, serving, and entertaining. We’re not aiming for a full-on workout here—just a gentle flow to get your body moving, your mind grounded, and your heart in the gratitude zone.
Flow Like You Mean It
First things first—get comfortable. Sit down, close your eyes, and take deep contented breaths. You know, the kind where your shoulders slowly go limp and you instantly feel 10% more calm. Think of three things you’re thankful for. It could be anything from your cozy bed to your favorite show. Simple stuff. Then, roll into some easy heart-openers like Cat-Cow, Cobra, and maybe a laid-back Bridge Pose. These poses are all about expanding the chest and opening your heart—basically, a physical way to say, “I’m ready to receive all the goodness today.”
Tree Pose: Your Personal Grounding Moment
Have you ever tried to do the Tree Pose? It’s like a balancing challenge for your body and your brain. Root one foot down, bring the other to rest on your inner thigh (or calf, no pressure), and grow tall. Now, while you’re standing there all zen-like, take a second to think about the foundation you’re rooted in—your family, your friends, your health. Hold onto that grounding feeling and channel it into the rest of your day. Pro-tip: if you wobble, no worries—you can pick a point in front of you to focus on and see the magic!
Wrap it Up with Some Quiet Gratitude
After you’ve flowed through your poses, come back to sitting. Hands on your heart, eyes closed. Take a minute to send out some thanks. Thank your body for showing up, thank your breath for keeping you going, and thank yourself for carving out this time before the holiday madness kicks in. A few deep breaths later, you’ll feel like you just hit the reset button on Thanksgiving morning.
Let’s be real—after your yoga flow, the day’s going to get busy fast. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait until the turkey is carved to find your next zen moment. There are plenty of opportunities to sneak some mindfulness into the day (yes, even while you’re whipping up mashed potatoes or setting the table).
Cooking with Love (and Awareness)
Imagine a Thanksgiving where you’re prepping the ultimate feast, but instead of cooking on auto mode, you’re actually enjoying it.
But how do you get there? By taking a second to focus every time you chop, stir, or season. Focus not just on the mechanisms and movements, but also on the aroma of the herbs, the vibrant colors of the veggies, and the sound of that satisfying sizzle in the pan.
And while you’re at it, take a beat to remember all the hands and hearts that helped bring this food to your table. A quick silent shout-out to them!
If you’re cooking with family or friends, turn it into a gratitude fest. Get everyone to share something they’re thankful for as you cook up a storm. It’s an easy way to turn cooking from a chore into a feel-good group effort.
Set a Mindful Table
Setting the table? There’s a mindful moment hiding there, too. As you lay out each plate and fork, think about the people who will sit there. Send a little mental “thank you” their way.
It could be your best friend, your grandma, or even that one cousin who always brings the best chocolates and desserts; this activity of setting the table together with intention adds a deeper layer of meaning to your meal.
Pre-Dinner Gratitude Ritual
Before diving into all the deliciousness, gather everyone together for a quick gratitude pause. No, we don’t mean clinking glasses and formal speeches. Although there’s nothing wrong with that, we can choose to keep it simple and make sure it comes from the heart.
The easiest way to execute this is by giving each person the floor to share one thing they’re thankful for this year. This brings everyone closer in love despite the differences that might have come up in the past.
It’s dessert time, and you can hear the lull in the conversations around you, courtesy of full tummies and happy hearts. But before the night ends, bring everyone together to savor the kindness and magnanimity of this moment right now when we are surrounded by people we love, by staying quiet for a few minutes.
When you’re done with everyone, it’s time to focus on yourself. Go over to your quiet spot or corner, and sit by yourself for 5 minutes. As you sit in silence and breathe deeply, reflect on everything you loved about the day. It could be anything from the giggles and the laughs with your loved ones, or just the fact that you really nailed that cranberry sauce. Breathe out, and thank the universe for everything that went right in the day. If you prefer journaling it, go all out. It feels even more real and grounded to write it down.
It doesn’t matter if you’re stretching it out in the morning, cooking a feast for many but mindfully, or sharing a real moment before the meal or not. Allow yourself to be washed over with gratitude and truly appreciate the abundance in our lives, one mindful moment at a time.
