Yoga Every Day
Set Balanced Intentions

S17:Ep8

16 mins

TV-G Teacher: Steph Schwartz

To set balanced intentions, align your mind and body. In Yoga Every Day, Steph Schwartz leads a Hatha flow to build core stability and confidence.

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How do you carry the quiet focus of your mat into a chaotic world? When you set balanced intentions, you create a steady foundation that supports both your physical alignment and your mental clarity. In Season 17, Episode 8 of Yoga Every Day, instructor Steph Schwartz guides you through a purposeful practice designed to ground your energy and elevate your focus.

This 15-minute level 1-2 hatha yoga flow offers a sanctuary for mindful intention setting, helping you bridge the gap between physical effort and mental presence. By focusing on hatha yoga for balance, this session guides you to stabilize your core, open your hamstrings, and build the physical stability needed to approach challenging postures with grace. Engaging in a daily hatha yoga practice allows you to cultivate a deeper connection to your body, making setting intentions for yoga practice a natural extension of your movement. This embodied yoga practice focuses on balancing energy through yoga, preparing both mind and body for the peak posture of half moon (ardha chandrasana).

Throughout this session, you will utilize two blocks to assist with alignment, ensuring that your physical form remains supported as you explore your edge. Steph Schwartz emphasizes the traditional concept of sankalpa—a heartfelt resolve or intention—inviting you to approach your practice with a spirit of confidence and inner strength. By centering your awareness on the breath and stabilizing your physical core, you create the space necessary to quiet the mind and find equilibrium. Whether you are looking to start your morning with clarity or unwind after a demanding day, this accessible flow provides the tools to align your physical actions with your deeper personal goals.

Cultivating Core Stability and Mental Focus

Strengthen and Stabilize: Work through targeted movements to engage your core and open your hamstrings, building the physical foundation required for advanced balancing.
Master the Half Moon Pose: Progress mindfully toward the peak posture, half moon (ardha chandrasana), using two blocks to support your alignment and expand your reach.
Align Your Inner Compass: Integrate the practice of sankalpa (intention) to foster confidence, strength, and a sense of groundedness that lasts long after you step off the mat.

Begin your exploration with Steph Schwartz and discover how a brief, dedicated practice can transform your day.

Teacher: Steph Schwartz

Audio Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you set an intention in yoga?

Setting an intention in yoga begins by turning your attention inward and identifying a quality or state of being you wish to cultivate, such as strength, peace, or presence. During a practice, you align this mental focus with your breath and physical movements to anchor the resolve in your body. This process, often referred to as establishing a sankalpa, helps guide your actions both on and off the mat.

What is a balanced intention?

A balanced intention is a personal resolve that harmonizes physical effort with mental ease, avoiding the extremes of overexertion or passive distraction. It encourages you to honor your body's current state while still challenging yourself to grow in strength and flexibility. By focusing on equilibrium, this type of intention helps stabilize your energy throughout your entire practice.

Why is setting intentions important in yoga practice?

Setting intentions for yoga practice is important because it transforms physical exercise into a mindful, purposeful experience. It provides a mental anchor that helps you stay present during challenging postures, such as half moon. On Gaia, practices that emphasize intention setting help viewers cultivate mindfulness that extends into their daily lives.

What props are recommended for a hatha yoga for balance class?

For a hatha yoga for balance session, having two yoga blocks is highly recommended to assist with alignment and stability. Blocks help bring the floor closer to you, which is especially useful when building up to challenging standing balances like half moon pose. Using these props allows you to maintain proper form without straining your muscles.