Tip of the Week: Set Your Intention

Today's Tip of the Week is to "set your intention". We hear this in class all the time, but what exactly does it mean? Setting an intention means to set a clear goal in your mind of what it is you want to accomplish.  What is it specifically that you need to work on in your practice? Is it breathing only through your nose? Then set your intention for the class to keep your mouth closed through the entire class, focusing on consistently breathing in and out through your nose in a calm manner. 

Do you keep falling out of the standing postures? Then set your intention before each posture by telling yourself, "I am not going to fall. I'm locking my knee, I'm going to stay balanced, I can do this." Have a clear mind set that your intention for your practice is to stay focused on your balance.

Throughout class are you dreading the moment your instructor says "Camel Time!"? Then before the class starts, set your intention to give 100% in Camel Pose today. Even if you can't reach your ankles, you are going to reach back as far as you can because this just might be the day it happens.

Know that you can do anything you set your mind to. Do more than just going through the motions in class. By setting an intention and following through with it, you will feel even more of a sense of accomplishment at the end of class, and your practice will become stronger.