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Planting the Seed of Intent

“New Year. New You”

“10 New Year Resolutions to Transform Your Life Forever!”

How many times have you read articles at this time of year encouraging you to make that resolution that will change everything?
How you eat…
How you look…
How you exercise..

For many of us we embark on that journey and then a cold dark morning in February we don’t go for that run, or we give in to that bar of chocolate that quickly becomes 2, 3 or 4 and so that resolution that we made gets tossed onto the list of just one more thing we tried and didn’t manage to complete.

A resolution by its very meaning is a decision to do or not to do something and its very essence originates as a thought a concept of just not being good enough.

Within the yoga tradition we are introduced to the invitation of Sankalpa which can be simply translated as an intention. The radical nature of Sankalpa however starts with the basic premise that you are already enough.

You have within you all that you need to take the next step. You have within you everything that you need to fulfil your Dharma or life purpose. The practice of Sankalpa is an invitation to connect to your most heartfelt desires and channel that energy within.

“Setting an intention is like an arrow from the quiver of your heart” - Bruce Black

A Sankalpa can be set at the beginning of any cycle, the monthly moon, the arrival to a new place, a yoga class but the New Year presents us with this threshold , this opportunity to walk into it with a reimagined heartfelt energy and vision.

The Sankalpa then becomes our inner filter bringing clarity to our decisions and actions. Maybe we become more aware of of how some of our decisions support our intention and some work against it.

Setting a Sankalpa is not complicated. It’s like planting a seed and giving it the best chance to grow and flourish.

First thing to do is to take some time to yourself. Consider going for a walk, practicing a focussed meditation or yoga Nidra. There is no need to rush, give yourself time.

Let your mind wander. Listen to your heart.

Once something begins to surface try to put words to it. Write them down. They don’t have to sound poetic.

Keep the language positive and simple. Write it in the present tense.

If there are things that you want to do differently explore a Sankalpa that inspires you and doesn’t feel like yet another thing on your to do or to don’t list.

For example if you want to practice yoga more regularly a Sankalpa might be:

I show love for my body by being mindful of how I nourish it.

Most important let it flow from a place of self-love and belief.

And never forget.

You are more than enough!