Setting Your Intention

One of the many wonderful things about yoga is that you can get from your practice whatever you need, and it can and will change.  Today we may feel stressed and want to exert ourselves, physically releasing all of the tension and stress our muscles are holding onto by challenging our bodies through our asanas, while tomorrow we may be more introspective and want something gentle, focusing on our breathing, quieting our minds and staying in the moment.  We strive for both in our regular practice but somedays we may want more of one than the other, and that's OK, we should honor what our bodies and minds are asking us for, each practice is unique and we should not judge ourselves based on what we were able to do at previous practices.

This is why we take time at the beginning of each practice to tune in to ourselves, quieting all of the exterior voices; focusing on the voice inside, listening to what it is telling us and honoring that. 

To get the most out of your yoga practice, that is the most of what YOU need, listen to your inner voice as you sit quietly at the beginning of your practice, take a few minutes to let the outside voices subside and tune into yourself, then set an intention for your practice.  It could be very specific, using your practice to help you deal with an event of the day, or more general, trying your best to stand strong in all your poses so that you can carry that strength and confidence with you off the mat and into your daily life.  If you start to lose focus during your practice, recall your intention and recenter yourself.

Don't be afraid to be honest with yourself while setting your intention.  Honor what your body and mind are asking you for.  Honor your limitations and be kind to yourself.  Don't compare yourself to others; all of our practices are individual, unique.  Most of all, enjoy and be kind to yourself.

~Namaste