“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Weekly Focus: Bhava (mindful intent)
Bhava comes from the Bhakti Yoga tradition and is considered the center of our spiritual feelings and affections. It literally translates as a “feeling” or “attitude.” Bhava reminds us that as we move through our day to day activities on our mat, our jobs, our home life, we should consider the attitude that we carry with us.
This is at the core of mindful living. When we notice how our mindsets affect and bleed into our daily lives, in creates space for us to consciously decide how we want to show up each day. Mindful intention is an opportunity. An opportunity to create a map for ourselves each day and decide how we feel. It’s OK to have bad days, but when we decide to consciously lead with peace, it allows us to deal with the frustrating feelings and to shift our attitude.
Our we allowing frustrations or penetrating thoughts to affect our daily efforts and experiences? How can we walk with the intention to find peace in each moment of our day? Even when the distractions come, how do we set them aside and again return to a balances state of mind?
Bhava reminds us to strive to set and receive an attitude of peace. Taking each day one at a time and moving with mindful intention.
Here is a simple practice in leading with mindful intent:
- Take your time to rise slowly in the morning — when the first alarm goes off, don’t just hop out of bed quickly. On the flip side, try not to doom scroll or wallow. Rather, take a few minutes to think about the day ahead, and decide what framework of mind you need for the day whether it be peace, forgiveness, joy, etc.
- Set a mantra — create a short phrase or mantra that reiterates your intended mindset. “I lead with peace.” “I offer forgiveness.” “I find joy in the mundane.” Repeat this to yourself 3 – 5 times before rising.
- Repeat your mantra — throughout the day, repeat your mantra 3 – 5 times to reiterate your mindful intent. Especially good moments to do so are in transitional spaces, or before difficult situations. Perhaps the moment you arrive to work, before a big meeting, when sitting in traffic, or before stepping into your home for the day.
Passive Pose of the Week: Side-lying Stretch Pose
Allow the body to rest and come into a state of calm and peace with this gentle stretch.
- Either roll up a blanket or towel into a tight roll or grab a bolster. Place the prop in the middle of your mat.
- Lie down on your right side, allowing the prop to line up beneath the low ribs and the mid back.
- Reach your right arm forward and allow the head to rest on the upper arm like a pillow. The left hand can come to the floor in front of you as a support.
- Close your eyes and find big full breaths. If you have time, set a timer for 5 minutes and stay before switching sides.
The height of your prop will vary the stretch in this pose quite a bit, so consider what you need here. This pose isn’t about finding a great big stretch necessarily, but allowing the body to comfortably hold it’s position and relax. It is important to consider our intentions when we set up poses. A lower prop and softer prop may be a more gentle stretch but allow you to hold longer. A taller and firmer prop will feel more intense. What will work best for you?
Active Pose of the Week: Parvritta Trikonasana (revolved pyramid)
Lift up with vibrant and intentional energy in Sky Archer pose.
- Begin in a standing Mountain pose (tadasana).
- Step your left foot back about 3 – 4 feet like Warrior 2 Pose. The left toes will face the long edge of your at as the right toes face forward. Keep both legs straight.
- Drop your left hang to rest light on the back leg. Reach up with your right arm.
- As you reach up, imagine your sternum rising more towards the sky. Think about creating space between your ribs and your hips.
- If it is comfortable on your neck, look up towards the top hand.
- Hold for 3 – 5 breaths and switch sides.
Sky Archer Pose is all about creating a lift and lengthening in the body. Sometimes it gets confused with a lateral bend. Rather than leaning way back in the pose, try to grow taller and lift the heart up. This will create a gentle lengthening from your top hand all the way down to your front foot and relieve pressure in the low back. As always though, it is important to remember the intention in the pose. Is the intention to get a great big side bend? Or is the intention to rise taller and create space to for the breath? Choose the journey that connects to your intention.
Join us in class this week to practice creating mindful intent. See the full schedule HERE.
