Not a super flexy slender Yoga chick talks "The Power of Intention"

Intention is what you set your Mind to; it’s the means by which you achieve a goal.

You may wonder, what does intention have to do with yoga? The answer: Oh, so much. More and more scientists (not those with feathers in their hair or speaking in Sanskrit, but researchers with actual PhDs) are studying the power of the Mind on the body—and on life in general. But what does the Mind have to do with the body? In my last post, I discussed how "you are not the mind"—and I do not mean to confuse you here. Let me clarify: the Mind here refers not to the chatter in your head, but to the conscious, mindful part of you that can set and direct your intention.

Whenever you do something, the intention behind it will directly influence the outcome. For example, consider a task you're about to do. What’s your intention?

• Be as fast as possible

• Be as precise as possible

• Do your best

• Earn money

• Have fun

There is no right or wrong answer, but the intention you set will shape the experience. It can turn a task into a stressful, cortisol-producing ordeal—or it can make it a pleasant and fulfilling experience. (Of course, I like to bring humor into life to keep it light, but even I know there’s only so much I can do!)

Just as you can set intentions for specific tasks, you can set intentions for your day, your relationships, and your health. How you formulate your intention is critically important.

Every morning, I wake up at sunrise, meditate, take a shower, and practice yoga. Do I love waking up so early? Not always. But I do it because my INTENTION is to live a balanced, healthy, and content life—not to "sleep, snooze, and regret." And whenever I feel tempted to give up, I remind myself of why I’m doing it.

Training Your Mind to Stick to Your Intention

It’s only by training the Mind that you can set an intention and follow through with it. The "other" mind—the one filled with distractions and self-doubt—is always waiting to throw you off course. How do you train the Mind to stay focused? That’s something I’ll reveal in future posts—but for now, know that it’s a process.

In the meantime, why not check out Michael Singer’s podcast? It’s free, and he’s both insightful and entertaining. His approach is straightforward, and while you may not always agree with him, his perspective will challenge your ego and encourage growth—especially if your intention is to "listen to learn," rather than "listen to answer."

Make Time for Your Growth

Think you don’t have time? You do. Set your intention to pause the distractions: put down your phone, stop scrolling through social media, pause the Netflix binge, and give yourself the gift of something that will help you grow. Instant gratification may feel good in the moment, but it will only distract you from the discomfort you’re avoiding. The truth is, reality will always catch up with you.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help! 😊