For many people, New Year’s resolutions may start strong, but then either fizzle or die within months. And yet, there’s something kind of cool about the concept of a fresh start with a new year. Is it possible to find the perfect balance?
Yoga provides the answer in the form of sankalpa, which loosely translated means an intention. And while we may set a sankalpa for a yoga class, a day, a specific event, or a year, behind each of these is the ultimate Sankalpa — our highest truth, our life’s highest purpose.
By considering the following three questions, you may find that you move closer to your highest truth, your deep “inner compass” Sankalpa.
How can I be more kind to myself?
Aspirations based in kindness to self tend to come from the inside of us instead of the outside of us, generating ideas that bring us closer to ourselves instead of society’s version of what we or others feel we should be.
When I become quiet and go deep within, what matters most to me?
Spending time in stillness, reflective journaling, practicing asana, or walking meditation and pondering what matters most may guide us to our Sankalpa. The key is to take your time, and when you find an answer, reflect on why… Why does that matter to me? Yogic practice invites us to explore ourselves deeply by becoming more conscious of what fuels our choices and decisions.
How can I make a difference in the lives of others or the planet?
When we focus on others, we experience how connected we are with everyone and everything. If the answers to the other two questions elude you, this is a great place to start, because in giving, we connect almost effortlessly with the most expansive part of ourselves, with our true potential. Service, or Seva, is perhaps the most deeply rewarding aspect of the yogic path.
Our unique all genders, all bodies, inclusivity-oriented Trauma-Informed Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training helps you take care of yourself while undergoing incredible transformation (yes, you can have both!) as well as building awareness around and sensitivity to the variety of students who will unroll a mat in front of you.