This year it is my intention to take my Yoga and Ayurveda off the mat and out into the world. So as we enter 2021, I have spent some time thinking about the Sankalpa that I want to set, rather that the resolutions that I want to make (and almost certainly break)!
Unlike resolutions which are all about me, a Sankalpa is about focusing on my deeper dreams, my heartfelt desires and my dharma. A Sankalpa is a commitment or vow that I’m taking to fulfill my life’s purpose and and to guide my choices to live an easeful, peaceful and useful life. It’s more of an intention that is directed to other people, rather than just about me. Some say it is like a spiritual resolution.
My Sankalpa is to take my practice out into the world to help people who think that they can’t do Yoga.
I want to help people who think that they are too old, too big, too unfit, too inflexible, too unhealthy or too addicted. None of these things actually get in the way of anyone from benefiting from Yoga or Ayurveda. In fact, if you feel like you fit into any of those categories, Yoga and Ayurveda can really help you the most! I know, because I’ve been there and Yoga has really transformed my life.
To nourish my Sankalpa, I’m focusing on three words this year- Enough, Space and Pause.
Speaking To Enough
I am enough, I have enough, there is enough
I eat enough- more than enough is too much, not enough is too little
I move enough, not too much and not too little.
I have enough stillness. There is enough time, the perfect timing is the one that happens.
Enough is Enough- I am willing to put a stop to things that do not serve me. I’ve had enough of doing things that are not taking me towards my deeper dream.
Speaking to Space
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Viktor Frankl
I create space in my life for my dharma to manifest.
I am mindful of spaces and know that they are the containers for magic, without space new life cannot be created.
I create space in my body, my schedule and my mind.
I welcome space without having to know what might come into it, but to allow the Great Mysteries of life to choose the what and when.
Speaking to Pause
I take pause before thinking, speaking, acting and eating.
In my pauses, I offer gratitude and practice mindfulness.
In pause, I seek to see and accept things as they truly are.
In the pause between the in breath and the out breath, I allow fresh prana to bathe my body and mind, clearing, cleaning and nourishing each cell.
In the pause between the out breath and the in breath, I release all that I no longer need and sink deeply into the arms of Mother Nature.
So as the New Year begins, and I vow to take my Yoga and Ayurveda off the mat and out into the world, I will trust that what I have to offer is enough, I will create the space for this to happen and take enough pauses to recognize my dharma opportunities as they are presented.