Intention vs Resolution: A Yogic Approach to the New Year

By Nicole McClendon

Every January, the world buzzes with the same question:

“What’s your New Year’s resolution?”

Lose weight.
Work harder.
Be more disciplined.
Change.
Improve.
Fix.
Achieve.

Resolutions often show up carrying pressure — a quiet message that who we are right now isn’t quite enough. They can come from a place of force, urgency, or comparison. And statistically, many resolutions fade within weeks… not because we’re lazy or unmotivated, but because the body and nervous system don’t thrive under self-criticism or all-or-nothing expectations.

Yoga offers us a different path.

Instead of striving to become a different version of ourselves, yoga invites us to remember the deepest truth of who we already are.

And that’s where intention comes in.

What Is an Intention?

In yoga, intention is often referred to as Sankalpa — a heart-centered vow or soul-level direction. It isn’t a task list or performance goal. It’s a guiding thread.

A resolution usually sounds like:

“I will go to yoga five times a week.”

“I will lose 20 pounds.”

“I will meditate for 30 minutes every morning.”

An intention sounds more like:

“I choose to honor my body.”

“I am creating space for peace in my life.”

“I commit to listening inward.”

See the difference?

Resolutions live in the mind and willpower.
Intentions live in the heart and awareness.

Resolutions ask us to control.
Intentions invite us to align.

Resolutions usually ask, What will you achieve?
Intentions ask, Who will you be while you’re living this year?

When you think about your New Year’s intention, ask gently:

Who am I practicing becoming?