Living with Intention

Recently I was asked what my motivation is for getting on my yoga mat. I took a minute to think this question over. What was my motivation? Because I often find myself struggling to get on the mat, especially recently, since I’ve been having a hard time at my new job. It has been a tough, emotional transition. However I still make time to get on my mat and I wanted to share with this person my motivation for showing up and now I am going to share it with all of you. Yoga for me is what you make it. I told them; living daily with purpose and intention. For me yoga is more than just the poses, whether it be coming home and cooking a delicious meal with love, intention, and purpose or laying in bed knitting while watching a movie or getting lost in a show. For me these are yoga practices. These actions for you will look different, but what matters is how you do them. Setting your focus and attention on every action and how you perform those actions.

The dictionary defines intention as: 1. An act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.

2. the end or object intended; purpose.

When I get home from work I am usually too exhausted, broken down, or the motivation to practice yoga just isn’t there. Instead I’ve been practicing in the morning after I’ve done my bathroom routine and drank a glass of water. I was reading through a yoga magazine recently and discovered a yoga routine. It has twelve poses and works the body to wake up the spine and get it moving. But before I even get out of bed I repeat affirmations to myself and do some twists, spinal movements, and a forward fold. There are mornings when I find myself struggling to do this, even on those days I always make time to get on my mat in the morning and take 10 minutes to myself before getting ready for the day.

Surya Namaskar is the name of the routine I've been practicing in the mornings. It internally massages the spine and makes it flexible, it really is a lovely routine to wake me up in the morning and get me moving. A quick google search will give you an image of all the yoga poses. Even a run through of a few rounds of Sun Salutations will get you moving in the morning. Give one of these routines a try. They are easy to learn, easy to move through and they can work with anyone's flexibility range of movement. Whether you can touch your toes or barely fold forward these routines can work with you, move within your body's limit and with intention.

Motivation is a strong reason to act or accomplish something. The biggest thing that motivates me to practice this routine is having a dedicated space to practice. I have a dedicated space in my bedroom for yoga and spiritual work. Included in this space are items that speak to me, things that make me feel good, and stuff that makes feel comfortable. I have a couple of bolsters, a few blankets, and a pillow. I also have inspiration books, trinkets and two beautiful plants. All of my items inspire me to come to this space and I find the memories they bring up comforting. Altogether this space is spiritual and calming for me. It should be the same way for you. Make it your own, start out small, and build from there.

On Sundays Adriene and I get together. I read her love letter and do my daily devotion. Then I do a yoga practice with her and meditate. This is my Sunday ritual. I make time for this each Sunday. For me Sunday is a day of relaxation, a Holy day. Sometimes I go hiking to connect with nature, maybe do a yoga practice in the woods. I make time to soak up God’s beautiful Earth and breathe in the fresh air. Having this Sunday routine is important to me, that is my motivation for showing up on Sundays. I hold myself accountable to make time to practice.

Suggestions for motivating yourself to step onto the mat:

Create a dedicated space that suites your needs

Make yoga practice a part of your routine

Hold yourself accountable for practicing

Find a simple routine you really enjoy

Learn it

And then practice it when you feel like you need it

Get outside into nature

If you find yoga hard to do at night, make time for it in the morning

Adriene always says showing up is the hardest part. If you find yourself in this situation give some of these suggestions a try, but also give yourself a break, rest is a type of yoga. I say as long as you do things with intention, it is yoga. Be aware of what you need. Not everyone can be like B.S.K. Iyengar who practiced 10 hours of yoga each day. I enjoy his method the most because it is all about slowing down and doing things with intention and living in the moment. We should all learn to be more like him and I plan to.

You may not show up on the mat each day or you may just sit on your mat for 5 minutes, sitting quietly listening to your breath. It is all about doing these things with intention and having awareness of your actions, movements, and words.

October Updates:

My herbal preparations are macerating nicely, in a couple of weeks I will be straining them and bottling them up

I have done some fun fall things and checked some items off my list

I have been focusing on getting situated at work

Halloween movies have been playing non-stop at my house in the evening after work and on the weekends. I watched Hocus Pocus on the big screen at my neighborhood movie theater and The Shining has made more than one appearance on my television.

I love this time of year and I am sad that October will be coming to end next week

Next Saturday is Halloween and I have a full day planned… more on this later.

Happy Almost Halloween\

Namaste, my friends

xo