What is the intention behind your intention?

Setting an Intention before a yoga class

Growing up, I was taught to pray.  But when it came to the type of prayer where you were asking for something, it was always cautioned that one may ask but it may not be answered the way one wants.  As a parent, I understand this caution because a seemly unanswered prayer could turn a child away from hope.  But in retrospect, that caution created a sense of reluctance inside of me.  

It’s hard to voice our needs, and even harder to voice our needs and then make a request.  So the idea of starting a yoga class by setting an intention for myself felt… uncomfortably forward.  So I spent years setting general intentions of world peace. Now, there is clearly nothing wrong with sending peace out into the world.  But upon reflection, I think that most of the time the intention behind my intention was avoidance. Although heartfelt, a quick intention of world peace allowed me to avoid exploring my current emotional needs or requests.

But I’m becoming stronger now.  Becoming intentional with my intentions is starting to slow me down; challenging me to make space for my wants and needs.  What emotions do I need and want to cultivate in my life right now?  

And once we are strong enough to prioritize and then intentionalize our emotions, an even more powerful strength begins to reveal itself:  manifesting.    I was recently told, “If we don’t use our emotions to manifest our future, our emotions will surely take over and do it for us.”   Intentionally shaping my future in a yoga class, like I intentionally shape my breath in that same class.  Wow. I think I’m strong enough now to start holding onto that.

Until next time, 

Laura