Setting Intentions for Growth: A Holistic Approach to Your Yoga Journey

Setting Intentions for Growth:
A Holistic Approach to Your Yoga Journey

By Hanne

As we journey through life, growth remains a constant goal. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, setting intentions can significantly enhance this journey. For especially women (aged 35-45), balancing personal growth with everyday responsibilities can be challenging. However, incorporating yoga and essential oils into your routine can provide a transformative approach to achieving holistic well-being. In this article, we’ll explore how to set intentions for growth, deepen your yoga practice, and use essential oils to support this journey.

Setting Intentions for Growth: A Holistic Approach to Your Yoga Journey

Intentions are powerful tools that help align our actions with our goals. Unlike resolutions, which often focus on specific outcomes, intentions are more about our mindset and the energy we bring to our actions. Setting intentions in yoga can help focus your practice, making it more meaningful and purposeful. Here are some steps to set effective intentions for growth:

1. Reflect on Your Goals: Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve. This could be improving physical strength, enhancing emotional well-being, or cultivating self-love.

2. Be Specific: While intentions can be broad, try to be specific about what you want to focus on during your practice.

3. Write Them Down: Writing down your intentions can help solidify them in your mind and provide a reference to come back to.

4. Integrate into Your Practice: At the beginning of your yoga session, take a moment to remind yourself of your intentions. This will help guide your practice and keep you focused.

Deepening Your Yoga Practice

For those who are not beginners but feel stuck in their practice, setting intentions can help break through plateaus. Here are some ways to deepen your practice:

• Focus on Breath: Breathing is fundamental in yoga. Pay attention to your breath and use it to guide your movements and deepen your poses.
• Challenge Yourself: Try new poses or variations to push your limits. This can help build physical strength and increase flexibility but remember to do it in a self-loving way.
• Mindfulness and Presence: Be present in each moment of your practice. This not only enhances your physical practice but also your mental and emotional state.

Essential Oils for Growth

Integrating essential oils into your yoga practice can further support your intentions. Here are a few essential oils that can aid in growth:

• Lavender: Known for its calming properties, lavender can help relax the mind and body, making it easier to focus on your practice.
• Frankincense: Often used for its grounding properties, frankincense can support spiritual growth and enhance mindfulness.
doTERRA has a collection of three oils dedicated to yoga. Here is two of them that would be ideal for aiding growth:
• Anchor is a steading blend that supports your connection to yourself, your emotional harmony, and your innate wisdom.
• Align is a centering blend that helps you to trust yourself and stay open to all possibilities.

How to Use Essential Oils in Your Practice

There are different ways to use essential oils in your practice. Diffusing is maybe the easiest way. You can also apply oils topically before the practice. I have made rollers from many of my favorite oils using fractioned coconut oil and drops of essential oils. My favorite way to use oils topically in my practice is to add oil to the soles of my feet, the pulse points, and the back of my hands.

Inhalation: Simply inhale the aroma of the oil directly from the bottle or from a drop or two onto your palm, rub your hands together, and inhale the aroma from your hands for a quick focus, grounding, or relaxation boost.

Cultivating Self-Love in Your Yoga Journey

Setting intentions for growth and incorporating yoga and essential oils into your routine can create a powerful synergy that supports holistic well-being. Remember to approach your practice with an open heart and mind, and be patient with yourself as you grow.

By being intentional with your practice, you can create a balanced and mindful approach to personal growth that nurtures both your body and spirit. Share your journey and experiences in the comments below, and let’s grow together.

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Hi, I'm Hanne

I am a yoga instructor and personal trainer dedicated to holistic wellbeing and natural living. On my blog, I share insights and practical tips to help you find balance and harmony in your life.