Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Set an Intention



If you're ever taken a yoga class, you've probably heard the instructor tell you to "set an intention". I remember the first time I heard this, wondering exactly what that meant, attempting to make an educated guess and set my intention to "be stronger" (I mean this is a workout, right?). Over time, the setting of intentions has evolved into something I do on a daily basis, first thing in the morning, in order to bring meaning or focus to my day. Sometimes we get so busy with our daily routines and stressful situations, we forget about what's really important. Setting an intention of clarity, compassion, gratitude, love, energy, motivation, or courage helps me to focus on the bigger picture as well as improving my yoga practice (as seen here). Do you ever sets intentions for your day?

46 comments:

Marie said...

I do. It's like having a goal every single day.:D

Happy Wednesday, Valerie!:D

***** Marie *****
allthingsmarie.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great idea :)

Diana Mieczan said...

That sounds like something I would really need to do..Its so good to center ourselves and remember what is really important:)

Thanks,sweetie
Kisses

Anonymous said...

I wish I could be as mindful during my day as I am during my yoga practice! This is a great way to set the tone for your day and start off on the right foot. I'm going to need to give this a whirl! :o)

Oh, My Darling said...

I really love the idea of doing this! How admirable!

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

I don't but I should! I don't take the things I do at yoga and apply to the rest of my life and I should.

Lisa Griffin said...

I've never heard of this, but it sounds like a great idea I might try!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Gabriel said...

That's really a great perspective. Staying focused on what is truly important can be so easy to forget.

OneCraftyFox said...

I really like this post, and I really should set intentions at the start of my day! Maybe now is a good time to start... :)

Nikki said...

I dont practice yoga, but I love the idea of doing this every morning.
Thanks Valerie!


xx
Nikki

Marcie said...

Awesome post, Val. I really need to start setting daily and window intentions t help me keep my focus and perspective. It is funny you post this because just yesterday my cousin was telling me to start setting some big goal (buying a house, etc.).

Have a great day!
M

Jamie said...

This is such great advice. I think we DO get so caught up in the day to day hustle and bustle that we can kind of get lost. Yoga has definitely brought focus into my life. Even if it's just the 20 or 40 minutes a day I spend emptying my mind of everything and starting calm and relaxed.
I am certainly no yogi but everyone could benefit from practicing it, if for no other reason than to just 'take a moment.'

http://www.glamlatte.com

Anonymous said...

Lovely

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Perfect idea.

Cafe Fashionista said...

I really should try this. It sounds like a wonderful way to create balance in your life. :)

Chas said...

I usually set an intention during yoga class, but I have never thought to set one for my day. It sounds like a great idea; I'll have to give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm following you now!

http://fromdenimtodessert.blogspot.com/

torrie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
torrie said...

Intention is so very important. I am reading a book on this exact topic. One of my intentions is authenticity, for example.
...[sorry- noticed a little mistake:)]

Although I have enjoyed my posts that I've written so far I didn't feel as though my writing truly reflected this intention (since I have been focusing on the 'tech' part of blogging, as well as spending as much time with the kids as possible). So, this morning, since the kids are at my mom's I wrote a kind of goofy post, but one in which I feel is authentic... one of my intentions:).

Lindsay said...

This is something I need to do. What a great idea. :) Hope you are having a great week Val!

Annie said...

Valerie, thank you so much for reminding me of this wonderful idea! I used to do it a few years ago and I always found it to make a positive difference in my day. I'm going to try to get back to it now that I saw your post :)

Thanks again! xo

SabinePsynopsis said...

I did yoga for 15 years and worked as yoga teacher, but noone ever encouraged us to set intentions. I like the idea though - maybe I should start now.

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

I've actually never heard this! I am going to yoga tonight...let's see if she says it :)

Leia said...

Setting an intention, what a great idea! I'll definitely try this!

Leia

Josie said...

This is such a good idea, Valerie! It makes so much sense to set an intention for your day.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

STYLE'N said...

Valerie, thanks for this reminder. I have been to classes where we are reminded to set our intentions and I really do believe in this. And I like the examples of intentions you provided. Now can you come to Boston and teach me some of those amazing yoga moves you do???? then I will be all set
naina

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Oh yes I do that from time to time. I actually did it today and have had a rather pleasant, productive day. I need to do this more often :)

PursuitOfLLT said...

I always set an intention in yoga but never randomly in my day to day life. Definitely makes you think!

Unknown said...

not a yoga fan!! try Pilates and you'll love it!

Vicky
(new post: Fall Preview & follow me)

k said...

i don't, but i definitely should!

Anonymous said...

Girl, I've see photos of you yoga-ing. You're insane, haha! I'm totally jealous. I try to do yoga a couple times a week. I definitely want to do it more often though!

Melanie@UnravelledThreads

this free bird said...

I do try to do this and I love this post Valerie.

Today I didn't set time aside and it has been a wreck. It helps so much to start the day out, as you said, with clear intentions.

Tomorrow's another day.

xoxo,
Carrie

20 YORK STREET said...

V,

I'm glad you posted about this today. I hate to admit that even as a Yoga Instructor, I sometimes forget to set the intention for the class or set the intention for my day... I should be more conscious of doing it as my daily practice.

namaste

Jess said...

I love the idea of this, Valerie! I wish I could do yoga every morning, but my problem is that I have to leave for work at 6:45 every day and can never find the time to sit down and think!! Maybe I can try it before bed?

Anna Walker said...

I do, when I remember! I like this idea though, seriously I will try to start remembering!

Funny enough, I have never heard a yoga instructor tell anyone this!

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

I love this, so simple. I think it really would help to bring focus to my day, I usually get wrapped up in the details and forget about the big picture. Definitely starting this tomorrow.
xx

p.s I made the brownies. oh. my. gosh. SOOO good! I'm on treats duty at the office on friday (yes, my office is cool. lol) and I'm bringing in a batch... I doubt they'll last past 10 am! Thanks for the recipe!

Unknown said...

i NEED to set intentions for my day. that's the best part of yoga - it makes you aware, even if it someone else telling you to be that way.

xx anna jane

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Hey Valerie girl, I have just missed you! Thank you for the Birthday Wish! You are a wonderful bloggie friend!
When I think of someone who has their stuff together, you come to mind! You seem to have great balance in your life! I loved this post!
Big Smoochies
gi gi

Pratishtha Durga said...

I have often heard of "setting intentions". it just gives so much clarity and focus to every day living. But I have never really practiced it myself. thanks for reminding us of this wonderful life lesson. Will surely try it out in my life.

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

I love this. I think I do it unconciously (hello to do lists...), but it would be nice to let my intentions involve my personal life. I work very hard to be intentional and intention focused at work, so it should translate naturally to my personal life. =)
Love this post!

Cindy said...

What a wonderful way to start the day... must try to remember to do this.

caknitter said...

I love this post. You're so right about setting intentions. Now, I just have to put into to motion for myself for a positive day. :-)

shopgirl said...

Sounds like excellent advise! I'm still a beginner at yoga, but I love it. I'm going to try this.

Thanks for the tip Valerie. Have a wonderful week!

She Wore It Well said...

great post!

i pray at the end of each night, to thank God for the day and gather my thoughts and plans for the next day

x

Bren said...

Great post Valerie. Makes me miss yoga, that at one point, I actually had time for. :/

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

haircutting in high heels said...

Great Post, My intention is to practice, practice practice, whether it be yoga or my craft of hairdressing which I find myself doing a lot lately. I try not to be hard on myself but just do it!
Have a lovely day,
Gina

Molly Page said...

Oooo, I love this idea. I've done yoga on and off for years, but I've never heard that before. EEK. Maybe I wasn't paying attention!

Can't wait to put this into practice.

Leaving the House in THIS?!?!