November is a time when the world naturally slows down. The light softens, the air turns crisp, and the rhythm of life calls us to pause, reflect, and notice what we often take for granted. It’s the perfect season to practice Santosha, contentment, and to honor the small, steady things that sustain us.

The Yoga Sutras remind us that contentment is more than just feeling satisfied. In Sutra II.42, Patanjali teaches that the highest happiness arises through Santosha. It’s about recognizing what is already enough, finding joy in the present, and letting gratitude guide our everyday actions. Practicing this consistently isn’t always easy, but it creates a deep sense of peace and resilience that lasts.

For me, this practice has been a cornerstone in sustaining almost four years of sobriety. Over 15 years, I lived in a repeating cycle of drinking, anxiety, and consequences. Sobriety felt unimaginable at first. I didn’t understand how anyone could navigate life without alcohol. I now see how much pain and harm this caused, not just for me, but for those around me.

I'm sharing this specific story again because my healing wasn’t only about quitting alcohol. I also had to face patterns in my relationships, both with others and with myself, that were hurtful and abusive. I had to recall painful events and memories from my childhood, teenage years, and early adult hood that had shaped my dependency on drugs on alcohol. Learning to honor my boundaries, show myself compassion, and step away from what didn’t serve me was uncomfortable, slow, and sometimes messy. But it was necessary. Through those consistent daily actions we talked about in October, moving my body, journaling, practicing gratitude, and checking in with myself, I started to feel grounded, clear, and stronger. These small, steady steps helped me cultivate contentment and trust in myself, even when life felt uncertain. Gratitude was so uncomfortable for me, it was a lot of practice, like a muscle, it had to be strengthened.

On the mat for you, this might look like holding poses a little longer, paying attention to subtle sensations, or practicing with more gentleness rather than pushing harder. Off the mat, it might mean taking time to rest, honoring a personal ritual, or noticing the small moments of beauty and ease in your day. These tiny shifts, repeated consistently, have a powerful ripple effect.

✨ In practice this looks like:
🍂 Showing up even when it feels challenging
🍂 Pausing to notice the small wins and subtle strength in your body
🍂 Reflecting on what supports you instead of rushing through
🍂 Trusting that gratitude and presence are practices, not achievements

✨ Off the mat the invitation is:
🍂 Pause and notice what is already enough in your life
🍂 Create small rituals that nourish your body, mind, and heart
🍂 Practice self-compassion and honor your boundaries
🍂 Allow contentment to guide your choices, especially in moments of stress

At Nourished Roots Yoga, November invites us to:
🌿 Root: ground ourselves in what is already here
🌿 Reflect: notice the patterns and habits that shape our days
🌿 Gratitude: acknowledge what brings us strength, joy, and peace
🌿 Presence: find happiness in ordinary moments instead of chasing the next thing

Journal prompts for this month:
📝 What small daily practices bring me clarity, ease, or joy?
📝 Where can I pause and notice the abundance already in my life?
📝 How can I cultivate more self-compassion and healthier relationships with myself and others?

As the days grow shorter and the world quiets, may you discover strength in the ordinary, gratitude in the small, steady actions, and contentment that grows from consistent care for yourself and those around you.

If you're looking for support through trauma and alcohol repair, we are now offering private Embodied Recovery™ 1:1 Sessions with Stephanie Wheelahan, 200 HR ERYT, Y12 SR Leader, and founder of Nourished Roots Yoga. Stephanie specializes in Embodied Yoga for Trauma and Addiction Recovery, as well as Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety. More info is available here.