What is Intention?

Setting an intention can help you create a positive lifestyle, but what else do we know about intentions? Truth is, before I started my yoga teacher training in October I knew very little about setting intention. I knew that it felt good to have an intention, and I knew that my yoga teacher gave me time during each class to set one. But I still had so many unanswered questions like…What is an intention? Why is it important to have one? What can your intention do for others lives? And why are we taking time to set intentions in yoga class?

I found some answers!

1. What is an intention?

It’s a feeling, attitude, or purpose you commit to. An intention can be rooted in your Sankalpa, or purest form of will or wish for a positive good. Intentions come from the heart. Examples of intentions I set are “let go of fear.” “treat others with kindness.” “Be aware of self/talk.” Goals typically have tangible outcomes, but intentions do not. Whether you see the manifestations of your intentions or not, the magic is in setting one. In biblical text, an intention can be rooted to the same energy as prayer.

2. Why is it important to have one?

Doug Keller says “Your sankalpa largely determines the fruits of your practice. The clearer your intention, the more definite and tangible the fruits.” Intentions create focus without limitation. Your intention could be universal and exponential. Whatever you focus on will flourish. This ties into many other universal laws such as the law of attraction.

3. What can your intention do for others?

You may set intentions for personal accomplishments, but most instructors will set their intention for the better good of their students. Your actions will always reflect what’s going on in your heart. That is why you will find BestLife coaches setting intentions before classes, and why you’ll see me setting an intention for my yoga students before class. Without your students/clients knowing what your intention is they will feel it and see it through your actions and words.

4. Why do we take time to set an intention during a yoga class?

Yoga is a practice of self-awareness. Each individuals practice is unique to them, so it’s important that each student has a unique and personalized intention for themselves. Their intention is not the intention of the instructors, even if they are correlated to one another. Believe it or not guys, but most people don’t understand that they are beings of energy. By giving my students the time to set their own intention, I give them the time to connect to the power that they are creators and manifesters.

Each yoga instructor and coach is capable of teaching you something new. I value intention-setting because of the power it has had on my students and in my life. If you have any questions on setting your own intention please reach out! All of us Besties would love to help you! Just yesterday, I had a short conversation with BestLife member, Janelle, on intention setting. (I attracted that conversation as I was typing this blog, what you put your attention on does manifest.) I remember Janelle saying “When we set an intention then get feedback from the Universe that leads us to the next step.” I loved that. Intentions really do bring you closer to where you want to go. I can’t wait for your intentions to bring you closer to your desires.

If you’d like to learn more about Sankalpa check out Rosie Acosta’s podcast, Radically Loved, on Spotify! She is a yogi who continues to inspire and uplift me.