Hello curious person
I hope you are doing well today! I do love Sankalpa but it is a bit of a minefield to navigate so I thought I'd take some time to break down my approach to it. You've probably found this page whilst ploughing through Google trying to find examples to offer yourself or some students in a session.
I'm sure at this point you already know the fundamentals of a Sankalpa - if you don't, click here to have a read here first - so let's get started with some examples of Sankalpa.
Examples of Sankalpa:
I am strong
I am rested
I am calm
I am open to opportunities
I am healthy
However, I challenge you to reconsider using an example if you are facilitating/teaching Yoga Nidra.
A Sankalpa is very personal. I like to create a space where I do not give them any examples during the sessions and offer them the chance to opt out of the experience. We spent some time seated, asking prompts about former qualities and qualities they would like to experience more of. I leave just the right amount of time and space for them to discover their own and then we wrap it into a clear and concise statement.
Why do I not mention examples in a session?
I don't mention examples because I don't want someone to fixate on something they're not. If I tell someone an example like 'I am strong', this could cause them to think about this quality and whether they experience that. Now repeat that four more times with other examples and they are spending more time thinking about what they don't have rather than authentically discovering their Sankalpa for the practice.
What Sankalpa prompts do you use?
Is there a habit you would like to change?
Is there a feeling you'd like to experience more?
Is there a quality from your former self you'd like to return to?
I have found this is a great way to approach Sankalpa in Yoga Nidra. I encourage the individual to let it happen. These prompts will present answers, from the answers there will be themes and from themes a Sankalpa will be there. I advise to craft it into present tense like it is already their reality. We then move into some gentle movement to act as a breaker between Sankalpa building and the practice of Yoga Nidra.
I hope this is helpful - let me know your thoughts on this
Speak soon
Sam
Comments