ON DEMAND - Day 1
Day 1 ❍ Align to Your Core
There is a reason why intentions work and why they don’t work. Let’s dig in.
How we begin things matters. I say this a lot because I see it not only as something that is true, I see it as a tool. This very moment we are in — the beginning of our Yoga Body Cleanse — is an opportunity to choose the direction of your path in life. Let’s begin by aligning to what we truly hold in our value system. When we are aligned to what is right, we are able to somehow do very difficult things and get through them. Our decisions, our actions, even our thoughts begin to align to our core value system. When we repeatedly do things that are not aligned, we know it on some level. Our body knows it. When our actions go against the grain of our value system, it ultimately doesn’t work. Our intentions must be aligned to our values.
Whether we are talking about relationships, work, health, or home, there is always an inner knowing as to what is right for us. Our body holds an inner compass that is in constant pursuit to connect to what is true. But, even when I am convinced that my body wants me to make a deep and meaningful connection with an apple fritter, I find out one minute after eating it that it was wrong. We get these signals crossed only all the time. So what do we do to bridge the gaps between intention, behavior, and choices?
To begin, set a clear value as a daily touchstone to guide you.
What we value defines our value. Today, we draw our focus inward so we may emanate our value system rather than auditioning the world around us to live up to it. With less reactivity, we will find ourselves naturally engaging with the world differently. Social circles may shift, you might feel lighter, you won’t feel you need to hide from things, you will have energy to take a hard look at real issues, you will find the courage to take care of those real issues with confidence, you will look in the mirror and think, ‘oh my gosh, I do look like Margot Robbie.’ Wait, sorry - my signals got crossed!
Just remember that these value-aligned actions are ‘a vote for the person you would like to become,’ as James Clear famously outlined in his breakout book, Atomic Habits. The process of becoming happens through embodiment. When we set goals or intentions, we need to take an honest look at our behavior. You may already ascribe to behaviors that support your intentions. What if you embody your value on the mat, too? What would that look like and feel like?
JOURNAL
What values would you like to focus on at this time in your life?
What would someone who already embodies your values behave like?
What do you want to set as intention/ what do you want to feel like at the end of this challenge?
What makes it important to you to have this intention now?
What are some behaviors you do that don’t align with your intention?
What (if anything) is standing between you and your intention?
What will it take to get you there?
What are you willing to commit to now?
ACTION
Apply this tool to help you with commitment and follow through: Register for all of the classes you plan to take this week.
As you lay down to rest tonight, meditate for a few minutes on what kind of behavior you might cultivate over these 21 days to support you. Visualize and feel into this.
When you wake up tomorrow, think the words: thank you — perhaps before you even open your eyes.
Recipe Inspo
