Living with Intention

Just as you might set an intention on your yoga mat with the start of each practice session, you can create meaning each morning even before getting out of bed by incorporating a daily intention into your life.  Intention is about living more by being than by doing.  Living each day with intention is to depart from the mindless way of simply doing what you have always done.  Each day can be a fresh start for you to grow, learn, develop the strengths you already possess and make the choice to let go of negative thought patterns and behaviors that are no longer serving you.  When we set an intention, we can channel our mind away from the negative thoughts and into spaces where contentment, compassion and purpose reside.  Set your intentions based on what is most important to you and make a commitment each day to match your actions to your inner values.

Here is one way you can practice setting a daily intention: Find a comfortable seated position and lengthen your spine. Take your attention inside and start to notice your breath, without the need to change anything. Begin to notice any physical sensations, emotions and your thoughts as they come and go, without judgment. Breathing in and out through your nose, take several full breaths. From this place of witness, allow an intention for your day to arise. Breathe that intention through the space you have created, repeating it to yourself several times. You may choose to also journal your intention and read it throughout your day.