Kickstart 2010: Setting a sankalpa (intention)

Extended Side Angle Pose in Bali (Mmm, Bali)

Today is the first new moon of 2010 and I am celebrating – as I’ve already explained – by giving myself a little bit more of what I need. I’m beginning a new 30 day cycle of sadhana or committed yoga practice.

Some of you are coming along with me for the journey. Thank you so much for your company. One of the most important lessons I learned in 2009 was the importance of good company.

Someone who is always good company, in the very best sense of that word, is my friend and fellow yoga teacher Kara-Leah. In case you missed it, she wrote a fantastic post about the five things she learned in 2009 and I can tell you right now that you want to follow that link and read what she has to say.

Missed the first post in this series? Catch it here:

• 1. Kickstart 2010 with a commitment to your yoga practice

Amongst other so-true-they-are-blindingly-good things, she also learned the value of good company. That probably had a lot to do with the fact that she got to know me, right?

Anyway, having good company is one of the best strategies for making positive changes in your life. So it’s fantastic that we all have each other for support and company as we embark on this 30 day challenge.

So how do we get started?

The place to start is with an intention and a good intention is one that is deeply grounded in your current situation and state – something that is founded in what you need and want more of rather than any abstract ideas about what you ‘should’ be doing.

So I suggest that you start by finding some time and space to spend a little bit of time in your own company. You might like to go for a walk along a beach or you might like to sit quietly in your own living room. You might like to take a bath (mmm, a bath). Whatever helps you settle back into yourself and draw your attention inward.

Now just notice what is going on. What is going on in your body? What is going on in your mind? What kinds of thoughts are predominating? How is your mood? What is going on in your environment? What season is it? What kind of weather? What else is going on in your life right now? Overall – how do you feel? What are you craving more of? Do you need more energy, more openness, more motivation, more fun, more release.

Using these insight, you will realise that you know what you want and need more of and you can set an intention – or sankalpa – for your practice. Sometimes you may want to make your sankalpa a dedication, you can dedicate your practice to someone specific or to a wider group of beings.

In the past I’ve dedicated my practice to friends who were unwell or suffering or – not infrequently – I’ve dedicated my practice to all people living in fear. On those occasions I have set an intention to practice with love because I believe that love can dissolve fear.

So, find your sankalpa. Set your intention. Then begin your practice. Choose wisely and with kindness. Enjoy.