At the beginning of a New Year, many of us set, New Year’s resolutions. Why not think about setting an intention for the upcoming year instead?
Sometimes, we start our yoga practice by setting an intention, which can be a powerful vehicle for transportation on & off your yoga mat.
So what is an intention? An intention brings attention & awareness to qualities you wish to cultivate in your yoga practice & beyond into your life.
By bringing your attention to these qualities & creating an energy around them, this transfers into a vibration which the universe will reflect back to you. This is also known as manifesting.
So how do we set an intention? It’s not difficult. Whether you are setting an intention for your yoga practice or in broader terms, the process is the same.
Before you start take 2-3 long smooth breaths to centre yourself. Any good yoga practice will inevitably start with some breath awareness to shift your focus back into yourself anyway. Then just take a moment to think of what qualities you would like to cultivate in your practice. Try not over think it: your mind will naturally gravitate towards what you need.
You may choose patience, grace, presence, strength, peace or calm. You may want to cultivate gratitude: to people, or situations or even something specific. Or maybe it is forgiveness: to yourself or someone specific.
Maybe you are asking for guidance? Reflect on what you need help with & ask for a sign. The sign will be subtle, it’s not a lightening bolt from the sky kinda stuff. But in the stillness & silence of contemplation, there are strong messages.
And that is pretty much it, when it comes to setting an intention.
At the end of our practice, yoga & meditation, it is also nice to dedicate the practice to someone or something other than ourselves, sending that energy we have created back out to the universe. As Buddha said: happiness never decreases by being shared.
By sending the positive energy out with your dedication, that positivity will grow & you may even feel lighter, brighter & more energised by dedicating. Indeed, if you are struggling with a situation or a person sending light & love to that area of discomfort can subtly shift the energy you associate with it.
The beauty of setting an intention & dedication, is the energy created from what you have in your heart & mind becomes what you manifest in your life. If you pay careful attention you will see the subtle but powerful ways in which this impacts your life.
And so, as we are all heading back to school & work after the festive breaks, maybe you want to start setting an intention for your yoga or meditation practice, or maybe you want to think about for 2019 intentions