Yoga Nidra: Sankalpa

At the start of many a yoga lesson, your teacher may set an intention for the class. The intention may be something such as finding contentment within yourself or exploring your truth (satya). The intention may come in the form of a reading or just a few inspiring words from the instructor as you settle in to your lesson on the mat. These intentions set the tone for a yoga asana class and give you a more complete yoga experience. The intention is usually set by the teacher. In yoga nidra, yogic sleep, the intention is usually set by you.

In yoga nidra we come through several stages that help to illuminate our being for healing and growth. First we relax the body to make it receptive to the seed that we plant. This seed or intention is known as sankalpa in Sanskrit. In yoga nidra, the sankalpa implants into the unconscious mind. In the deeply relaxed state of yoga nidra the sankalpa "speaks directly to the unconscious mind." It is in this place that change can occur. (Reis).

The sankalpa is particularly important here due to the healing properties of yoga nidra as a complete practice. Yoga nidra is a deep meditation that takes you into a state of consciousness, nurturing the seed of the sankalpa, to eventually come to fruition.

Sankalpa: Bringing together Fact and Desire

Dr. Richard Miller, a consultant to the U.S. Military on using yoga nidra for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, calls intention a "powerful healing tool." In yoga nidra, a sankalpa takes on powerful healing qualities.

The sankalpa is a personal declaration of fact rather than what we normally think of as a goal. "My intention to do xxxx." is a goal, like a New Year's resolution. The sankalpa in yoga nidra is, rather, a declaration of fact. Declaring this fact helps the fact to eventually become reality.

Even beyond fact, the sankalpa grows out of your heart's joy. This heartfelt desire comes from your personal needs and thus has the potential to manifest and become your reality. Your truth. Your wellness. Your wholeness.

Relaxing the body in yoga nidra allows the thinking mind to settle down so you can allow your heart's desire to come naturally from deep within to create your sankalpa. (Verma).

How to Create a Sankalpa

A meaningful sankalpa is stated in the present tense and generally starts with the word "I." It is a good idea to keep it short and to the point. Examples of sankalpa are: "I am healed." "I am enough." "I move through life joyfully and welcome what happens on the way." You may use one of these as a starter for your sankalpa experience as you begin to craft one of your own.

Please join me tonight and every Monday night at 7:30 for a wonderful online yoga nidra experience. Experience how a sankalpa can work for you. Tonight we will cover the chakras in our journey. If you have been meaning to come on a Monday night but never do, allow me to give you a little virtual nudge here.

Resources:

Miller, R. C. (2015). The iRest Program for Healing PTSD: A Proven-Effective Approach to Using Yoga Nidra Meditation and Deep Relaxation Techniques to Overcome Trauma (p. 18). New Harbinger Publications. Kindle Edition.

Reis, J. (2018). Divine Sleep(r) Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Manual.

Verma, T. Yoga Nidra Scripts: 22 Meditations for Effortless Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Reconnection (p. 36). RTV Yoga Inc. Kindle Edition.

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Yoga nidra classes continue online at 7:30 ET Monday nights. Join me tonight for a beautiful relaxing journey that will help you to heal, relax, and de-stress for an hour.

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