As we embark on our twelve weeks together, take some time to consider how you want to show up. Do you hope this to be the beginning of a longer, more sustained practice? Or are you just giving yourself a little reset?
As you consider this, how often do you want to practice? Will you do all three of these every day? Will you just try to do something every day? You’re a human person, so you likely won’t be perfect, but right now, anything is possible.
How’s it going to go…?
“Setting Intention” Activities
Journal Prompt
Why are you here?
The first time you journal this week, I encourage you to just let your mind go and make a list. A big one. How many “reasons” for our work together can you think of during ten minutes? Set a timer and stream-of-consciousness-style, make a list of all the things in your life you’d like to work on. They can be tiny (“I don’t cut my fingernails often enough”) or more meaningful (“I wish I felt less adrift”). In terms of this list, they all have equal significance and meaning. Be sure to use the whole ten minutes. You may be surprised at what comes up.
If you journal more than once…
- Skim over your list from the first entry and underline or “star” the entries that resonate most. Spend some time letting the words flow when you reflect on those list items.
- “Setting intention” always sounds like such a heady thing to me, so if that’s the case of you, just describe your perfect day. What are the pieces of that day you could do right now? Maybe your perfect day includes time with a special friend or a favorite meal. What’s preventing you from reaching out to that person, or picking up that treat? If it’s more elusive than that — like time in a vacation spot — drill down a bit to the actual activities and sensations. On a recent trip, I declared that I just wanted to do yoga and sit by the pool reading. I don’t have a pool, but I can certainly carve out a few minutes for yoga and reading every day!
If you have completed the journal prompts above, then simply let yourself write for ten minutes without any rules or restrictions. Consider the prompts, your previous journal entries this week, and just let your pen go!
Yoga Flow
Many thanks to The Mercedes Club, Hell’s Kitchen, NY, for letting me record these yoga flows in their gorgeous yoga studio.
Meditation
If you prefer to meditate on your own, unguided: This week, we practice staying with our breath and observing the sensations that arise when we ask, "What is my intention?"
This program is presented by James Donegan / JDFitNYC and has no relationship with Equinox, Mercedes Club or any other facility where Mr. Donegan is employed. Any one participating in a physical activity, especially those who may be pregant or nursing, should consult a physician before beginning a physical exercise program.
Nothing that appears in this blog or on this website is intended to treat or diagnose any disorder, physical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.