Intending vs Manifesting

Just before a yoga practice, your instructor will often ask if you'd like to set an intention for your practice. When I first graduated from yoga-on-tape to communal classes with breathing people and an instructor who pauses to lay her hand there, push your knee just so, help tuck your shoulder blades back, I remember thinking what a neat concept this was.

If I had actually studied yoga, starting with the famous Light on Yoga, I would have known this invitation was standard.

Tonight, before I began Clara's Swimming in the Stream class, I knew what my intention would be:

Blessings for my nephew, Carter Michael Macauley, born on the morning of All Hallows Eve.

That this little 5 lb 14 oz pumpkin will be healthy and grow swiftly with the love of his parents, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles (and great aunts and great uncles) and troves upon troves of cousins of all varying degrees.

So imagine my surprise when I press play and Clara says, "Close your eyes, step to the front of the mat and think of the word manifestation. What does that mean to you? Is there anything you'd like to manifest in your life at this time?"

To manifest.  To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal. A manifestation. An outward or perceptible indication. Materialization.

Tonight Clara did not invite me to set my intention (the first step) but to take the actions to manifest my desires.
 
It was a good practice, very full of twists, binds, and back-bends. When my mind complained of my cramping foot or calf, my burning hip flexor or quad, I returned to my breath and thought of baby Carter drawing his first this morning.

I'm not sure I can verbalize what my answer to Clara's question is at this exact moment, but I feel it like a light in my chest.