Rethinking Resolutions

By Julie Konrad

New Year’s resolutions certainly come from the best intention—to create change in our lives. But too often they’re surrounded by the notion that we’re not doing something right and that we’ll only be truly happy once we achieve whatever it is we say we’ll do. We usually can’t hold ourselves to these promises, which, in turn, makes us feel as if we’ve failed.

In order to set the groundwork for a truly transformative year, I invite you to create a sankalpa. What is a sankalpa? A sankalpa is a resolve which starts from the belief that you already are who you need to be in order to fulfill your life’s purpose. It is a vow or commitment you make to support your highest truth and is repeated before a yoga or meditation practice or simply at the beginning of each day. It is best to repeat your sankalpa when you are deeply relaxed. This forms an impression on the subconscious. Here, the seed of your sankalpa is planted, and each and every time you focus on this intention, the more closely you move towards realizing your goals.

There are two ways to form a sankalpa:

• A statement of something that is already in place; for example, “I am at peace,” or “I am healed.”
• An intention or goal: “I am a role model for others,” or “I have a fulfilling career.”

To identify your sankalpa, you need to be still and quiet with yourself. Don’t try to come up with one. Let it come to you in quiet stillness and from the heart, not the intellect.

If you’re struggling to identify your sankalpa, don’t worry. Try writing down the answer to the question “What do I really want?” You might find that what comes up sounds just like a New Year’s resolution. That’s OK. Start there. Be informed by what comes up. Ask yourself why you want that and create your sankalpa from there. For example, if you want to lose 10 pounds, you might realize it’s not losing weight that you want; it’s a feeling of self-love and acceptance that is coming from deep within your heart. Then, state your intention in the present tense using a phrase such as “to be vibrant and strong, I eat healthy whole foods and take care of my body”; or if you want more money to get out of debt, you might say, “I am moving towards financial freedom.”

The main practice of sankalpa is remembering that you are complete and open to moving in the direction of your deepest desires. The repetition of your sankalpa further ensures that, whether you know it or not, every decision and choice you make is aligning you with the manifestation of your goals.

Tying a simple red piece of string around your wrist is an easy way to remind yourself of your intention for a few days or until you are in the habit of repeating it to yourself daily. Be patient and gentle with yourself. You will soon reap the benefits of your will and determination!

Julie Konrad is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor, writer and founder of Luna Presence Yoga.