The art of creating an intention is one of the most important things in life for success, happiness and well-being. In yoga, it is a process by where you create a yoga sankalpa.
Sankalpa means an intention formed by the heart and mind to serve you and assist you in achieving your ideal state of health and happiness. It can be considered a vow, resolution, determination, or will.
In practical terms a yoga sankalpa often represents a psychological and philosophical resolve towards a specific goal. A sankalpa is a tool meant to strengthen your will and focus as well as harmonize your mind and body.
A sankalpa begins as a creative thought form and is superior to ordinary thoughts because it activates your body. It makes you perform a predetermined act in order to achieve a goal. It allows you to be decisive and wholehearted.
In order to create and sustain healthy intentions that results in satisfaction and contentment, you need to learn how to form your sankalpa. The yoga sankalpa you form restructures your mind and personality in order to bring the desired results.
Forming your intention & yoga sankalpa
When formulating a sankalpa, fine tune it in the form of an affirmation until it feels just right for you. This formulates the energy of clarity about what you want and where you are going. Bringing about a total and real feeling of conviction.
Suggestions for Creating Your Intention & Sankalpa
Clarity: Your intention should be stated in a short, simple, clear and concise sentence.
Sincerity & feeling: Say it from the heart, not a mechanical repetition. Mere intellectual repetition will not allow the resolve to be impressed upon the subconscious mind.
Time: Repeat it at the beginning and end of a yoga nidra. It can also be practiced right before sleep and immediately after waking up in the morning. These are the best times this is when the mind is most receptive. The resolve can be repeat through out the day when you have spare time.
One sankalpa at a time: Choose only one sankalpa and stick to it until it brings results. Do not change it.
Yoga Nidra & Sankalpa
A Sankalpa is best impressed on the subconscious mind during yoga. Yoga nidra is an effective method for changing a particular lifestyle habit, achieving certain ambitions, and removing negative blocks and mental conflicts.
During the practice of yoga nidra the mind is very receptive to your Sankalpa. Once the resolve is impressed deep in the subconscious mind it gathers together the other vast forces of your mind in order to bring about its fruition.
In Yoga nidra, the sankalpa need not be influenced by words alone. It maybe visualized as an image or felt as a sensation.
In the waking state, your sankalpa becomes a motivating force that you are living and moving forward with all the time, everyday.
To learn more about yoga nidra and how to practice and teach it, check out our upcoming yoga nidra teacher training and certification program being offered in May 2020. Email sacredseedyoga@gmail.com. This yoga nidra program will be facilitated by Jai Kai & Aman Rai who is one of a few in Canada to be certified as an advanced teacher through Satyananda Yoga Nidra.