Setting Intentions

At the beginning of each yoga class the instructor often asks us to set our intention for our practice and for our day.

Here are some examples of intentions you might set:

• be nurturing to yourself
• push yourself to the edge of what you think you can do
• focus on your breathing
• smile
• let go of suffering
• be present
• give your best effort
• try everything a little bit

Simply asking yourself the question "What is my intention?" can affect your whole practice and your whole day. It isn't something you share. It is something you do quietly and personally.

It occurred to me (and maybe it already has occurred to you), what if we asked our students this at the beginning of each day or each class. What if we gave them some quiet space to close their eyes and set their intention before beginning their learning journey for that day or that moment?

Does anyone do this already? I'm going to give it a try.

What is your intention for today?

Image credit: Meditation by skiegazer3