As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal. While traditional resolutions often fade away, setting meaningful intentions can lead to lasting transformation. At Coquihalla, we believe that yoga and meditation are powerful tools for creating positive change in your life. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of setting intentions. 

Intentions are different from resolutions; they’re about creating a guiding focus for the year ahead. Rather than setting specific, rigid goals, intentions allow you to cultivate qualities, attitudes, and behaviors that align with your authentic self. This flexibility makes them more sustainable and adaptable. Yoga and meditation are not only physical practices but also provide a profound foundation for intention setting and self-growth.

Here is a layout of what setting and committing to your intentions would look like:

1. Clarify Your Intentions

Begin by sitting in a comfortable meditation posture. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. As you quiet your mind, ask yourself what you truly desire in the coming year. Is it more inner peace, self-compassion, or balance? Let your intentions arise naturally.

2. Cultivate Mindfulness

Mindfulness, a core aspect of yoga and meditation, allows you to stay present and focused on your intentions. It helps you recognize when your actions and choices align with your goals and when they don’t. This awareness is key to making positive changes. As you get distracted from your intentions, try to practice mindfulness by not only bringing your intentions to the forefront but also making conscious decisions to follow them. 

3. Embrace Self-Reflection

Regular journaling, a practice often complemented by yoga and meditation, enables self-reflection. Use your journal to delve deeper into your intentions. Write down what steps you can take to embody them and track your progress.

4. Strengthening Resilience

Mindfulness teaches resilience, both physical and mental. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, fostering the adaptability needed to stay committed to your intentions, even when challenges arise. If you find it uncomfortable to sit for longer times during meditation practice, try some Dynamic Meditation practices instead.

5. Connecting with Community

Our yoga and meditation retreats provide the opportunity to connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Sharing your intentions with others and receiving their encouragement can be incredibly motivating.

Consider joining one of our retreats to kickstart your journey towards a more mindful you. Our expert instructors and serene retreat locations offer the perfect setting to explore your intentions deeply. Whether you seek inner peace, self-discovery, or a spiritual awakening, our retreats cater to a variety of needs.

For ongoing support, our subscription box is designed to keep you aligned with your intentions throughout the year. Each box is carefully curated to provide you with mindfulness tools, wellness products, and guided practices that nurture your growth and well-being.

Once you have set your intentions, it is a good idea to keep track of them to keep yourself honest and accountable. To get started, here is a three-step process to track as you stay true to your intentions:

1. Reflect: Try to have a set time for meditation. Consider what you have and still want to cultivate in relation to your intentions.

2. Write: Journal about your intentions, outlining the qualities and behaviors you wish to embody and also the ones you have accomplished so far.

3. Revisit: Periodically revisit and refine your intentions throughout the year as your journey unfolds.

At Coquihalla, we’re here to support your transformation every step of the way. Whether you choose to embark on a retreat, subscribe to our box, or simply explore yoga and meditation at your own pace, we’re dedicated to helping you make this year truly transformative.

As you welcome the New Year, remember that the power to create change lies within you. With the guidance of yoga and meditation and the support of the Coquihalla community, you can set meaningful intentions and embrace the new you that awaits in the year ahead. 

Embrace these happy times with healing and love with handmade healing essentials (that also make a great gift), or hop on to an immersive ancient sound healing training and learn the priceless ways to heal yourself and your loved ones.

To learn more on how to work on inner self with sound, and energy healing, visit Sound Healing, Vibrational and Sonotherapy Association (SHVSA).

Happy New Year!