Example

One of my favorite things about yoga happens within the first 10 minutes of class when we take time to settle in and set a sankalpa or an intention. It's such a simple gesture but I've found it has a profound effect not only on my class, but also on the rest of my day. I love how one of my teachers explains how to set an intention to her new students - she asks them to think of a quality they'd like to cultivate in their lives. The idea being whatever you create on your mat follows you out into your daily life.

I just finished my first teacher training apprenticeship and it was during this time that I really noticed the effects of setting an intention. I was nervous that first Sunday and the first thing that came to mind was 'confidence' and the second 'open mind'. I decided both were good as I needed to be confident in my knowledge and open to new ideas and lessons so I went with both. I can't say that I noticed an immediate difference. It wasn't until the following Sunday when I failed to set an intention that I noticed myself stumbling more and simply not feeling as comfortable in my verbal and physical adjustments. After that class, I decided I'd stick with the intentions set during my first class and I honestly felt much more confident and comfortable in all of my remaining apprenticeships. 

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I also found that, as intended, it translated to my life outside of the yoga studio and I'm in a noticeably better mood when I take the time to set an intention. It serves as an example of how powerful our thoughts are and gives even more meaning to the saying 'the power of positive thinking'.


As elementary as it may seem, I think there is so much truth in that phrase. I was going through a really difficult time awhile back when a dear friend suggested I envision the positive outcome I wanted. When she asked me to do this, I was wrought with negative thoughts and didn't believe that something as simple as thinking positively would make a difference. But by this point, I had tried everything else and decided I didn't have anything to lose (and, at the same time, I might just feel a little better). And, you know, who knows, maybe all of my stars aligned, maybe someone somewhere decided I needed a break, or maybe that positive thinking really paid off, but that outcome I envisioned came true.


I'm sold on positive thinking. For those of you who know what I went through over the past two years know what a struggle it was for me. A normally positive, happy person, I was someone I didn't recognize and though I can't change my past, you can bet I'll be setting positive intentions not only in my yoga classes, but also each day when I wake.