I woke up a bit after midnight on the last day of the year. I'd hoped to sleep through the night, but that was an ambitious goal, since I haven't done that in months. Of course I overslept and there was no way I was going to make it to my 9:30 class. It's a bit of a bummer, but I decided not to let that kill my mood and focus on what I get from yoga off that mat.
So this Motivational Monday dedicated to better understanding setting intentions in your practice.
For me, it was difficult at first to wrap my mind around the idea of intentions, and I initially used to set goals for my practice. Professionally, I am really good at setting goals. In my workouts, I've gotten pretty good at setting goals - a new PR, mastering a new skill, etc. Reaching those goals were satisfying, but not in a profound way. As I stay in the practice of yoga, however, it is now coming more naturally, as it is a part of any good yoga class.
I found the best definition of intentions on Oprah.com - the rest were so philosophically out there that while I could wrap my head around it, there was no way I could accurately describe it.
Intentions: Your intentions are states of being and authentic desires. In other words, you may have an intention to be peaceful, grateful, joyous, loving, successful, healthy or wealthy. Your intentions are your high ideals and are usually at the root of your motivation for any of your specific goals. Most people don't really want goals like a new relationship, more money or a fit body simply for the sake of those things themselves. You want them because of what you believe you will experience by having them in your life. By starting with your intentions, you get right to the source of what you truly want. Intentions are the core and the magic of all of your goals and desires.
Read more:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Setting-and-Achieving-Goals-with-Intention/2#ixzz2GeXTsZ00
Over the last several months I've found that setting intentions before engaging in any activity brings me the most success. It is more than just a goal - it's the true heart of the reason for being there. It is what helps me through when the physical is challenging or my body or mind is just not into it.
My favorite yoga instructor Fred is great at helping us set intentions at the beginning of the practice. Yesterday, we focused on a set of questions - are there things in 2012 that you want to leave behind? What worked and what didn't? Where do you see yourself a year from now? How are you going to get there? These questions were designed, in my opinion, not to come up with a list of SMART goals, but as we settled into our practice, to tune into the yearnings of our heart.
And as we moved forward with our practice for the day and moved into some more complicated asanas that I hadn't tried before, asking and answering those questions became significantly easier. Reaching towards the stillness that a complete yoga practice brings, I could tune into what the heart's desires are.
After much practice, thanks to Fred, of setting intentions, mine always boil down to the same few words. It's an amazing moment for me, to simultaneously feel these intentions for a brief moment during my practice while knowing they are my heart's desires. Health, Calm, Peace, Joy.
Because of my health and my own innate ability to get sucked up into unnecessary drama, these four heart's desires elude me most of the time. When I focus on intent for my life, if I imagine what my life would be like without all the noise and distraction, this is all I want. Health (what is achievable for me). Calm (spirit an mind). Peace (lack of drama and lack of reaction to drama). Joy (a continual glow of happiness that is not based on any particular situation or condition).
And as I look to 2013 my goals and commitments are rooted in those intentions. Everything I do, everything I'll work towards will lead me to embody those four words. My goals will be the tools I use to fulfill my intentions, but realize that they can be changed if they are not truly leading me to these heart's desires.
Let me be clear that yoga is the tool I use to find my center. For you, it could be running, lifting, swimming, or whatever floats your boat. But anyone truly committed to their practice knows that moment of pure insight where you attain such clarity as to what your heart desires. Let it lead your way this year. Let your intentions be the fire during the dark times and spark that leads you during the best of times.
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