The first rule of Wake the F*ck Up is called ‘Seed.’

‘Seed’ is basically intention-setting — or what’s called priming in psychology — and is arguably the most important part of any yoga practice.

Thoughts and feelings ripple out into your daily life. Pessimistic attitudes, even if they’re subconscious, produce more undesirable outcomes. And optimistic attitudes, even if they’re subtle, produce more desirable outcomes.

Our goal within the first few minutes of class, then, is to create a positive mental framework from which our flow and temperament can build upon.

Two things need to happen in order to effectively accomplish this:

(1) We need to honestly acknowledge our present state — moods, aches & pains, beliefs, etc.

[This happens via a meditative guided scan at the beginning of each class.]

(2) We need to be very specific in what we would like our desired state to be.

[This happens through crafting a feeling adjective that you would like to experience by the end of class — adjectives like joyous, abundant, tireless, powerful, bubbly or any word that resonates with your actual desires.]

Remember: the first few minutes of class are exclusively about the yoga practice itself, not yet the day that’s to follow!

Okay…so what must happen after planting a seed? How do you get your intentions to bear actual fruit?

Go ahead to the next page to learn more. See you there,
– Ethan ॐ

P.S. It’s not enough to intellectualize this material, so if you’re confused and want direct guidance please check out the video below. There we’ll do a brief intention-setting meditation together.

P.P.S. Just because negative thoughts can eventually manifest as reality doesn’t mean you deserve them. That would be the equivalent of a wrathful God sentencing you to hell. Instead, it’s helpful to view every “bad” thing that manifests as lessons pointing you closer and closer to the Truth of who and what you are.