Setting an intention

Setting intentions is a great way to help kickstart a new yoga practice or help boost a well matured practice. With the new year now in full swing, intentions are a great way to help reach your resolutions! 

What's an intention?

• An intention is a little goal that is set at the beginning of a yoga practice to achieve within the practice itself, throughout the day or to help you live mindfully. 
• They're like little aims that help you achieve your overall goals. 

How does it work? 

• At the beginning of your practice set your intention
• Gently repeat it to yourself a few times before you fully begin 
• Throughout your practice remind yourself and continue to repeat your intention a few times, especially if your mind wonders off or you get bored/ frustrated/ upset etc. 
• During your pranayama practice is a great time to fully immerse yourself in your intention and let yourself be fully absorbed by it 
• Using an active hasta mudra with your intention is a great way to really reinforce it into your practice 

Little, lovely snippets

• Yogic intentions are designed to be small and manageable. 
• They aren't big, brassy statements that might frighten you like, "I'm going to do the splits today!", on your second ever class. 
• They are more like little reminders. "Today I will remember to breath fully with my diaphragm" (I actually just took a proper breath after typing that :P) or "I will great everyone with kindness" or "I will continue to work on improving my hip flexibility to reach the splits". 
• Bite size. Memorable. Little goals. 
• You can set a new intention at the beginning of every practice or maintain the same one. It's your practice and practice what makes your soul sing! 
• Don't bog yourself down. If you don't achieve your intention, keep practicing. Practice. Practice. Practice. 
• Enjoy your intentions! 

Have beautiful practice today! Nameste ॐ