Setting Intentions: Nurturing Family Values Through Yoga

As we enter 2025, setting intentions offers families a powerful opportunity to align their values and actions. Drawing inspiration from yoga philosophy, we can create a framework for meaningful growth and positive change that resonates throughout the year.

The Power of Intentions

Intentions differ from resolutions in that their focus is on the journey rather than specific outcomes, like weight loss or financial goals. Intentions speak to something deeper – they guide how we show up for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. 

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali emphasize this concept of practice over time: “To achieve a strong foundation in our practice, we must practice over a long time, without interruption, believing in it and looking forward to it, with an attitude of service.” This approach aligns perfectly with family intention-setting, encouraging consistent effort and a growth mindset.

Yoga as a Path to Values Discovery

Yoga provides an ideal framework for exploring and establishing family values. The eight limbs of yoga, particularly the yamas and niyamas, offer ethical guidelines that can be adapted for family life. For example practicing ahimsa (non-violence) within the family can involve using kind words and resolving conflicts peacefully. Satya (truthfulness) can be encouraged through open family discussions where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts honestly. 

While the physical poses (asanas) serve as an entry point, yoga’s deeper philosophy teaches us to embody our values, harmonizing body, mind, and spirit to show up authentically in the world.

Nurturing Change Makers

Today’s children aren’t waiting for tomorrow to make a difference. In our rapidly evolving world, where we face increasing social disparities, environmental challenges, and ongoing systemic inequities, our children are already emerging as powerful voices for positive change.

The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one’s dharma (purpose) and maintaining family harmony. By helping children align their actions with their values, we empower them to become confident, ethical individuals who can positively impact their communities. While not every child will become a globally recognized activist, every young voice carries the potential to create meaningful impact within their sphere of influence.

In yoga philosophy, the concept of karma yoga – selfless action – aligns well with nurturing young change-makers. Encourage children to engage in seva (selfless service) as a family, teaching them that small actions can have a significant impact on their community.

As parents and caregivers, we have the privilege and responsibility of nurturing these young minds, helping them develop strong values and the courage to live by them. This development is an ongoing journey that unfolds throughout the year.

Fostering Value-Led Lives

Values are our internal compass, pointing us toward what truly matters. They represent the qualities we aspire to embody and the principles that guide us toward living authentically and ethically.

The concept of Sankalpa, or intention-setting, is central to yoga practice. Just as teachers guide students to set intentions in class, families can adopt this practice at home. 

Helping our children identify and define their values provides them with a reliable framework for setting intentions and making decisions. This foundation builds self-assurance and helps them develop into compassionate, ethical, and grounded individuals.

Creating a family sankalpa can be a powerful bonding exercise. Gather as a family to discuss your collective values and aspirations. Then, craft a short, positive statement that encapsulates these ideals, such as ‘Our family acts with kindness and courage in all we do’.

Values in Action

At Yogamazia, we incorporate our values of G.R.A.C.E into our classes to teach students how to align their daily lives with yogic principles:

Gratitude: Cultivating appreciation for life’s gifts

Respect: Honoring ourselves, others, and our environment

Authenticity: Living true to our values and beliefs

Community: Building connections and supporting one another

Equity: Promoting fairness and accessibility for all

Through age-appropriate activities, discussions, storytelling, and mindfulness practices, we support children in developing their ethical framework and approaching life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.

Join Us on the Journey

Yoga extends far beyond the mat – it’s a powerful catalyst for creating a more equitable and harmonious world.

As we move into the New Year, we invite you to partner with us in helping your child discover and define their values. By embracing these yoga-inspired practices, families can create a strong foundation for personal growth and positive change in 2025 and beyond.

Together, we can nurture the next generation of mindful leaders and positive change-makers. Ready to begin? Explore our Wholesome Warriors program and join our community of young change-makers.

References

Easwaran, E. (2007). The Bhagavad Gita (Classics of Indian Spirituality). Nilgiri Press.

Iyengar, B. K. S. (1993). Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Thorsons.

Satchidananda, S. (2012). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Integral Yoga Publications.