The Power of Intention Setting in Yoga Practice
August 6, 2025
Do you know those days when you wake up focused and breeze through your to-do list in no time? And then there are the other days, when you can’t seem to concentrate for even an hour, and every distraction takes you on a mental detour. When that happens to your yoga practice, you may find it hard to stay with a pose or focus on your breath. Setting an intention for your practice can not only help you calm your mind but bring a new level of depth and growth to it, too.
What is Intention Setting in Yoga?
Practicing yoga is more than the physical exercise of going through a flow of poses. Your practice has the potential to connect your mind, body, and spirit for a more meaningful experience. Choosing a sankalpa – or setting an intention – for your practice is one of the most powerful ways of moving from simple flow to transformative session.
A sankalpa is a guiding principle that you bring to your practice. It can be a single word, a phrase, or a feeling. These are not goals you set to achieve something specific. Intentions are more focused on how you want to do something.
In many cases, simple intentions work best. Here are a few examples:
- I am present.
- I am grateful.
- I let go of stress.
- Balance
Setting an intention roots your practice in something that transcends physical asanas and introduces a deeper meaning and guiding light to your yoga session.
Benefits of Setting an Intention
Aside from creating stronger ties between the physical and mental aspects of your practice, there are other benefits of setting an intention.
A sankalpa can help you stay mindful and present by quieting distractions and anchoring your mind in the current moment. By choosing your core personal values as your intention for your practice, your movements and your breath will start reflecting them.
By creating an emotional connection, intention-setting introduces emotional depth in your yoga practice and contributes to an effective emotional release. Plus, taking your intention with you from your yoga session into your day can help with personal growth.
How to Set an Intention and Weave it Into Your Practice
Intentions are highly personal and flexible. It’s normal to bring a different intention to each yoga practice or each class you take with our Uptown Yoga instructors.
Start by pausing for a moment and reflecting on what you need. Do you need a sense of calm, strength, or compassion? Each of those would be a great basis for an intention. Keep your intentions simple like the examples above.
Take a few breaths focusing on inhaling your intention and exhaling distractions. During your practice, distractions will re-enter your mind. Bring your intention back during these challenging moments.
Try taking your intention with you to let it guide the rest of your day. Apply it to your interactions with others and your mindset. Using an intention is not about reaching for perfection. Instead, you can use your sankalpa as a guide to bring you back to where you want to be.
Pro Tips For Using Sankalpa in Your Uptown Yoga Class
All of our classes at Uptown Yoga allow space for intention-setting and revisiting intentions during your session.
Here’s how our instructors incorporate intention setting into every single class. No matter the level of class you’re choosing from our schedule, we begin with a bit of time for setting a silent intention.
Our instructors will invite you to repeat your intentions before key asanas and remind you to return to your intention as your mind wanders. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal for that to happen, and bringing back your intention will help you return to the current moment.
While we love the physical side of yoga and all its benefits, we also make sure to create space for the inner work that helps you deepen your practice.
Start Benefiting From Intention Setting Today
Today’s world is full of distractions. Think about phone notifications, family commitments, work demands, and already it’s hard to imagine how you can stay focused on your priorities. Intention setting offers a focal point in a busy and often overstimulated world.
Choosing a sankalpa for your day allows you to connect physical, mental, and emotional elements of your life and your yoga practice. Because intentions are not like goals you set in a business environment, there’s no need to obsess over the outcome. Try to remain detached from your intention and just observe how it helps with your daily life.
Final Thoughts
Would you like to experience the power of intention setting for your yoga practice and your life beyond the mat? Join a class at Uptown Yoga and see for yourself how selecting your sankalpa supports your focus and clarity while also adding emotional depth to your physical practice.
Book a yoga class today, join an online session, or ask our instructors about private sessions to see how intention setting can nurture your personal growth and add a new dimension to your yoga practice.
