Settting your Intentions for 2017
- By Yoga Studio Calgary
- •
- 23 Jan, 2017
- •
By Anne Douglas
During the holiday season I had the opportunity to enjoy the quiet of our home and the warmth of a fire each day. My routine of building and maintaining the fire became somewhat of a preoccupation as it provided the necessary heat to remain comfortable as well as a delightful object of reflection, as I contemplate the New Year that lay ahead and my intentions for it.
Some days the fire burned robustly throughout the day and other days, not so much. It occurred to me that the building of a fire is similar in metaphor to the fulfillment of an intention. There are critical steps to be taken that can’t be rushed, and if you get ahead of yourself the embers of the initial efforts or interest just aren’t enough to sustain it.
The flames of a hearts desire from the initial tinder or ignition for action, but one must tend to it regularly for a sustained burn. Equally as important is the need for air or space for full and efficient combustion. There has to be room for a fire to breathe. But give it too much air and the fire and subsequent heat can dwindle.
Finding that perfect balance of effort and ease in our endeavors is a dance worth negotiating early in the game. As Goethe, a 16th century German poet and philosopher said; the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
In iRest – Yoga Nidra, we use Intention and Heartfelt Desire as the first and most significant steps in the practice, to help develop clarity, direction and motivation. If you would like to learn more about iRest as a tool for your own practice or as an added offering to your students or clients, join the Introductory Workshop, March 3-5, 2017 and the Level I training over 2 weekends on Oct. 27-29 and Oct 2-5, 2017.
As we each tend to fires of our heart felt desires for 2017 and beyond, may we stoke the flames with intentional action steps along with some breathing room for grace and providence.
Anne Douglas​ is a Senior Trainer for the Integrative Restoration Institute, and is teaching both the iRest Yoga Nidra Introductory Workshop and Level I Training in March.
Some days the fire burned robustly throughout the day and other days, not so much. It occurred to me that the building of a fire is similar in metaphor to the fulfillment of an intention. There are critical steps to be taken that can’t be rushed, and if you get ahead of yourself the embers of the initial efforts or interest just aren’t enough to sustain it.
The flames of a hearts desire from the initial tinder or ignition for action, but one must tend to it regularly for a sustained burn. Equally as important is the need for air or space for full and efficient combustion. There has to be room for a fire to breathe. But give it too much air and the fire and subsequent heat can dwindle.
Finding that perfect balance of effort and ease in our endeavors is a dance worth negotiating early in the game. As Goethe, a 16th century German poet and philosopher said; the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
In iRest – Yoga Nidra, we use Intention and Heartfelt Desire as the first and most significant steps in the practice, to help develop clarity, direction and motivation. If you would like to learn more about iRest as a tool for your own practice or as an added offering to your students or clients, join the Introductory Workshop, March 3-5, 2017 and the Level I training over 2 weekends on Oct. 27-29 and Oct 2-5, 2017.
As we each tend to fires of our heart felt desires for 2017 and beyond, may we stoke the flames with intentional action steps along with some breathing room for grace and providence.
Anne Douglas​ is a Senior Trainer for the Integrative Restoration Institute, and is teaching both the iRest Yoga Nidra Introductory Workshop and Level I Training in March.
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