“Let us all meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”  -Mother Teresa

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”      –Tich Nhat Hanh

 

I recently led a whole yoga class wrapped around the power of a smile. One of the best ways I know how to turn a difficult pose into a fun one is by curling up the right side of the mouth, followed by the left side, and then simply breathing into that beautiful grin. During the class smileasana was put into practice as we beamed through the always delightful Utkatasana (chair pose) and all-time crowd-pleaser Paripurna Navasana (boat pose).

I reminded my students how easy it is to give the gift of a smile and that it may be the only sunshine the recipient receives all day.

Of course, the class playlist was full of songs about smiling, and I thought I would share a little sunshine today with a few of my favorite smileasana song favorites:

“Smile” – Uncle Kracker – Happy Hour

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffej15-Dgl0[/youtube]

Can’t believe this one has never been a yoga theme song yet!

“You’re Smiling Face” – James Taylor – Greatest Hits Vol. 2

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL8NNTNmPT4[/youtube]

Another contender for a feel good yoga theme song! I heart James.

“Secret Smile” – Semisonic –  Feeling Strangely Fine

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kryV3E4QKGk[/youtube]

 

“Wait Til They See My Smile” – Alicia Keys – The Element of Freedom

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llbBB6ARPc8[/youtube]

 

“Sara Smile” – cover version by Joan Osborne – Breakfast in Bed

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjb0eIBHVaM[/youtube]

 

I didn’t use this next song, but if you want a little grin, just watch this video for a few seconds to see John Waite’s big 80s hair! This is sure to amuse you any day.

“When I See You Smile” – Bad English

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu6pclWsxzs[/youtube]

You gotta love classic 80s rock and big hair!

 

Need some more smileasana inspiration? Check out yoga teacher Dani McGuire’s “Occupy Your Smile” experiment on Elephant Journal and ask yourself: what if we all gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled? That is what Dana would call a revolution! In the article Dana says, “To me, nothing is as powerful as the simplicity of sharing a smile with a stranger that is transformed into a friend. This is true ahimsa, non-violence.”

Now get out there and share some smiles today!

Smile Image: Billy Alexander

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