I’ve written about intention before, but there is something so powerful about bringing an intention to your yoga practice or your day…especially when you remember it 📷

So what’s an intention?  An intention can be a word or phrase or a thought that has meaning or value to you.  It’s an agreement that you make with yourself that acts as a guiding light to your actions, thoughts, words and the choices you make throughout the day. 

Some moments I feel completely connected to and guided by my intention, and they feel like really great, connected moments – moments when I feel like the best version of me.  And honestly, other times I forget my intention and default to my knee-jerk reactions  – and it’s in those moments that I feel off, yucky, scattered, cranky, re-active.

Just like we might practice triangle pose or downward dog multiple times during a yoga session to deepen our understanding, experience and connection with the pose, we need to gently remind ourselves of our intention for the day and keep practicing it.   “How can I slow down and not push myself? How can I dial down the self- judgment? How can I be less demanding and more patient?” It’s an on-going practice!

Most recently, in heading back to teaching after a few days off due to illness I realized just how tired I really was.  Pausing for just a moment or two to breathe and to remind myself to slow down and to not rush and push made such a huge difference to my psyche and my soul, not to mention my body.  Acknowledging what I was able to do and not do, led me to that intention of not pushing, and honoring that intention led me to really slowing down, and even resting several times throughout the day so that I wasn’t completely wiped out for my evening class.

I’d love to invite you to explore intention setting with me. Starting very simply…

• What is one quality or action that you’d like to explore today or this week as a guiding light to how you interact with yourself and the world around you?
• For example: Do you want to move more slowly, or focus on doing one thing at a time?  Do you want to cultivate a sense of inner peace or ease?  Do you want to eat more mindfully, or take a walk every day? 
• Write down whatever word, phrase, image or feeling comes to you. Place your paper with your intention in a location where you will see it regularly throughout your day.   
• And then see what it’s like to practice living that intention – to practice living your yoga – just for one day!
• Remember to take it one day at a time.  If you forget your intention, no worries. Revisit where you posted it, say it to yourself and start again.

Check out my classes here and let's move together!