I began my yoga teacher training journey last night.  I spent four hours in a room with 17 women who I do not know but as I looked around at these strange faces I was conscious that by the end of the year they will be as safe and familiar to me as any one of my friends. In my commitment to hold myself to living a more authentic and present life, I have sought out some new, yet very old, ways of thinking and being.  Reiki is helping my physical body and grounding my energy.  Hypnosis is helping me tap into my gifts as an empath, intuitive and psychic.  It is also helping my physical body because as I let go of “bad” I release my lungs and open up my breath.  This training will deepen my already existing yoga practice and assist me in my path toward inner peace and self awareness.

I woke up thinking that I should set an intention for this journey.  Trace (my yoga teacher) talks about setting intentions for each class but I want to have an overall intention for this training.  Intentions are a critically important step in creating a dream life come true.  It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love.  But if you’ve never written them before, it can be daunting. That said, an intention cannot be forced either. It’s a seed that you have to sow and then let reap on its own. You can’t set an intention that you don’t believe in. If it’s done forcefully, the purpose of the intention is ruined.

The definition of intention is two fold.  One reads, “a thing intended; an aim or plan.” While the other is, “the healing process of a wound.”  I understand that as an intention is an active desire to heal! The way to manifest an intention I think begins with quiet meditation.  Sitting in stillness and allowing yourself the time to breathe and be and listen to your highest self is what draws out our truest and deepest desires and dreams.

Everything that happens in the universe begins with intention. When I decide to buy a birthday present, brush my teeth, or call a friend, it all starts with intention.

The sages of India observed thousands of years ago that our destiny is ultimately shaped by our deepest intentions and desires. The classic Vedic text known as the Upanishads declares, “You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”

Your intention should be closely tied to your personal thoughts, values and perspective on life. Intentions can be a clear and specific wish, or as simple as a word or phrase you’d like to align yourself with, like “open your mind and heart,” “love,” “softness,” “strength,” “compassion for myself and others,” “peace,” or “freedom.” Try to keep the intention positive, so instead of saying “stop being a coward,” or “spend less time alone,” choose the intentions, “be courageous” or simply, “community”. Think of your intention like a seed.  Like real seeds, intentions can’t grow if you hold on to them. Only when you release your intentions into the fertile depths of your consciousness can they grow and flourish.

Here are some thought-starters to help you get started in forming an intention:

• What matters most to you?
• What would you like to build, create, or nurture in your life?
• What would you like to let go of?
• Who would you like to forgive in your life?
• How do you feel when you are your happiest self?
• What makes you proud?
• What word(s) would you like to align yourself with?
• What fears would you like to release?
• What are you grateful for?
• Keep your intention positive.
• Make sure it can evolve.
• Aim for short term.

10 Intentions You Can Borrow

1. Find balance
2. Open your mind and heart
3. Peace
4. Stay steady, calm and focused
5. Act with courage
6. Embrace change
7. Give and receive love
8. Allow yourself to be vulnerable
9. Connect with others
10. Love

“Intentions compressed into words enfold magical power.”
~Deepak Chopra

I am off to work on mine.

Jai!