A mindful approach to entering the new year.

December has a beautiful way of asking us to slow down. The days grow short, the air turns crisp, and we naturally begin reflecting on the year behind us while peeking toward what’s next. In yoga, this turning of the seasons is a natural invitation to pause, breathe, and choose consciously how we want to step into a new chapter.

Setting intentions is a powerful yogic practice. Unlike resolutions, intentions aren’t strict rules or external expectations. They’re gentle, inward-facing commitments that align your energy, your choices, and your actions with what matters most. As you prepare for 2026, this guide will help you anchor yourself and your intentions in clarity, purpose, and presence.

Why Yogis Set Intentions (Instead of Resolutions)

Yoga invites us to work from the inside out. Resolutions often start with “fixing” something. We try to change our bodies, habits, or productivity. Intentions, however, arise from awareness. They’re rooted in how you want to feel, how you want to show up, and what you want to cultivate.

Intentions work because they’re flexible, nurturing, and deeply personal. They become a steady north star you can return to throughout the year, both on your mat and off it.

So, grab your journal, cozy up with a cup of herbal tea, and get ready to reflect…

Preparing Your Mind for Intention-Setting

Before you begin journaling, give yourself a moment to settle:

Find warmth. Sit somewhere cozy, or come to your mat in a heated room and let your breath slow down.
Take five deep breaths. Long inhale, slow exhale. Feel your spine lengthen and your heart soften.
Let the noise around you fall away. As you breathe, imagine tension melting from the body. Focus less on the distractions around you, and more on the movement of your breath.
Open your awareness. Allow yourself to “feel into the year” without forcing anything.

Once you’ve landed in stillness, you’re ready to explore…

Reflection: Looking Back at 2025

To understand where you’re going, it’s helpful to honor where you’ve been. Use these prompts to gently explore the past year:

Journaling Prompts for Reflection

What moments from 2025 made me feel most alive or aligned?
What challenged me, and what did those challenges teach me?
How did my yoga practice support me this year?
What habits or patterns am I ready to release?
What am I proud of that I don’t celebrate enough?

Let your answers flow freely and without judgment. This is an exercise in noticing, not critiquing.

Clarity: Understanding What You Need Now

Intentions grow from your present truth, not your past or future. Don’t think too hard about it. Come back to your breath and ask yourself:

Journaling Prompts for Clarity

What do I need more of in my life right now? Connection, rest, strength, courage, discipline, play?
What am I craving physically, emotionally, or energetically?
How do I want to feel when I step on my mat?
What qualities or values do I want to embody in 2026?

When something resonates in your body, when it feels warm, expansive, or grounding, trust that. Your first instinct is usually correct.

Creating Your 2026 Intention

An intention should be clear, heartfelt, and expressed in the present tense. Avoid “shoulds” and focus on what feels true.

Examples of yogic intentions:

I move through this year with steady compassion.
I nourish myself with rest and warmth.
I honor my body’s wisdom.
I cultivate courage and curiosity.
I am here, it is now.

Use these prompts to shape your own:

Journaling Prompts for Crafting Your Intention

If my 2026 self could speak to me now, what would they say?
What truth do I want to return to when life feels chaotic?
How can I phrase my intention in a way that feels kind and expansive?
What small daily actions support this intention?

Write your intention clearly and concisely – something you can speak aloud, breathe into, or return to during your yoga practice.

Bringing Your Intention to the Mat

Your intention becomes powerful when you weave it into your practice:

Whisper it to yourself in stillness before class begins.
Feel it in your breath during challenging postures.
Return to it in Savasana, allowing it to anchor your body.
Revisit it monthly (or seasonally) and refine it as you grow.

Remember that intentions are not rigid. They shift as you shift. Let them evolve with you throughout the year.

Closing Reflection

As you step into 2026, may your intention guide you toward deeper presence, heartfelt connection, and a practice that nourishes your whole being. This is your invitation to begin the year with clarity, warmth, and purpose.

The Ultimate Intention-Setting Guide for Yogis