Living Intentionally Through Yoga Pt 1 - Setting An Intention In Class

As we welcome a new month, it's a good opportunity to reflect again on the power of intentions.

Living intentionally can help to keep us on track with what's most important to us, sort of like a guiding light, guiding us through all of the ebbs and flows of life and offering more clarity and meaning.

Whether on the yoga mat or in your day to day life, setting intentions can really transform your experiences and keep you aligned with your most authentic self. This creates so much more ease and you're less likely to find yourself doing things you don't want to do, or living on autopilot being pulled here, there and everywhere. 

And of course, we can start practicing the art of living more intentionally on our yoga mat first.

After all...

"What happens on the mat, happens off the mat."

Something us yoga teachers like to say a lot. 😉

Hopefully you've realised by now that even the physical part of yoga is a lot more than just the postures. As cheesy as it may sound, it really is a journey inward. A chance to explore and feel what's going on inside of you. So even if you're in a group yoga class and everyone is making a similar shape with their body...

Everyone is experiencing something different.

Setting an intention at the beginning of your practice can transform your time on the mat into a deeply personal experience, even in a busy group class.

Here are ways to integrate intentions into your asana (yoga postures) practice:

1. Begin with Reflection:

Before your class or your home practice begins, take a moment to sit quietly and reflect on what you need most. Is it strength, peace, balance? Or maybe there's a physical part of your body that needs more attention and love today. This can take practice to know. Maybe start by closing the eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. This will help to quiet the mind a little so you can listen to a deeper part of you. I like to hold my hand over my heart so my attention goes to the right place more easily. 

Let this reflection guide your intention.

2. Set The Intention: 

If you're in a group class, this may already be guided by the teacher. Or perhaps they have a theme and want you to focus on a certain thing. Here you can go with the intention the teacher sets, use theirs to help guide your own or, wait for it...  Skip it altogether! 

And if the teacher doesn't ask you to set an intention. You can still set one for yourself. Nobody knows what you say to yourself in your head! 

To set your intention, wether that is for your home practice or in a studio class, you simply need to say it to yourself and/or feel it. For example if my intention is to feel more grounded and connected, then I'm going to press my feet or bottom more into the ground to feel it - as I remind myself that's what I need today. 

You may wish to use an affirmation for your intention. Like 'I am safe', 'I am strong and powerful' or 'I move with lightness and ease'.

Once you've set your intention you can simply let it go, you can return back to it a few times throughout your practice or you can:

3. Infuse Your Practice with Your Intention:

This can be fun but not as easy as it seems as there's usually a lot of things we need to focus on in a yoga class. Don't worry if you forget or start thinking of other things. All you have to do is keep coming back to the intention throughout the class. Feel it flowing through your body as you move. Breathe it in and breathe it out. Soon you will begin to feel it in the body and it stops being a thought or an idea. It becomes who you are. 

3. Carry Your Intention Beyond the Mat

Before you pack away your yoga mat, or maybe as you're leaving the studio. Remind yourself one last time what it is you are needing/working with. Invite this feeling to stay with you throughout your day. Whether it's a sense of peace, strength, or mindfulness, find ways to incorporate this intention into your daily activities. 

In part 2 I will be sharing some tips on how to incorporate Intentions in to your every day life, make sure to sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear when it goes live, and when any new post is added.