What is a Sankalpa and how to set one for the New Year?

New Year’s Resolutions have never worked well for me, but setting a New Year Sankalpa really does!

Rooted in Yogic philosophy, this traditionally symbolises a commitment to your soul, highest self, or purpose and is sometimes described as a spiritual compass for your life choices.

I like to set a Sankalpa every year, usually around the time of New Year, and then wait to see how it cultivates in spring.

A Sankalpa ia a simple, vow, resolve or promise to yourself. It comes from somewhere deep within your psyche and lands with you, quietly, softly, gently.

It’s not loud and direct, it’s not a goal, and it doesn’t have targets attached to it!

Your Sankalpa is a short word or phrase. It’s positive and is said (or written) in the present tense. It’s usually something very simple. It might be something you have read, something that you’ve heard a few times, something you’ve been thinking about for a while, or something completely new.

The best way to choose your Sankalpa, is to just let it arrive. This might happen via meditation, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga or Yoga Nidra… or just in a moment you have taken to give yourself space. You’ll know when it comes because it will just sit with you, next to you, like a new friend you don’t quite know yet, but know you will like.

Your Sankalpa will hold meaning for you, personally. You don’t need to explain it to anyone. You just need to keep it close.

I like to think of my Sankalpa like a seed or bulb. I imagine burying it lightly in rich soil, covering it over to keep it warm, and letting it incubate there. I always write my Sankalpa down somewhere, in fact usually in few places - where I will see it often, so I am reminded of it.

But, there is no need to take action yet! That’s the thing with a Sankalpa, it’s just there as a reminder. You may have no idea how your Sankalpa will manifest, this doesn’t matter, you just need to trust that it will.

Now is a great time to set your Sankalpa!