Accessible to most people, it is popular to trek the Gorepani and Poon hill areas in the Annapurna region. With beautiful scenery, challenging but achievable trekking, its easy to understand why Annapurna is referred to as a photographers paradise
This trek boasts spectacular views of the Himalayas, including Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, III, and IV, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, and Manaslu ranges among others.
After trekking, practising meditation and hatha yoga for 7 days in the Himalayas, I was beyond tired. It was the most beautiful terrain, where I experienced every season (even snow). It was an amazing experience I will never forget. Most of the yoga teachings were familiar to me, apart from one aspect which I had not come across before… Sankalpa.
Our guide, an amazing guy called Chandra, kept drumming into us the importance of having a Sankalpa and sticking to it. He did this during every morning and evening meditation sessions.
Want to know more about setting goals and Sankalpa? Here is an introduction and 6 tips for practicing Sankalpa
– What is Sankalpa? –
Sankalpa is a sanskrit word…
San = Linked to highest consciousness, or divine. Truth.
Kalpa = Vow, dedication, promise, commitment.
Sankalpa is basically setting intentions, with heart and mind combined, for what you wish your life to be like. Its kind of like a new years resolution, but all the time and much more profound and deeper. A point to focus on, your goal. Linking mind, body, spirit and the divine for finding your truth, your path and to achieve your dreams.
– How do we practice Sankalpa? –
You can practising Sankalpa when doing things such as walking or practicing yoga and meditation. You can do it before a practice, before bed or when you wake up. All this can all help you reach this state…
Sankalpa is recommended to be practiced whilst doing yoga nidra, which is a form of meditation.
Yoga nidra is also considered as psychic sleep, which is why it is important to practice Sankalpa here;
So it can be imprinted on the sub-conscious.
– 6 Tips for Sankalpa Practice –
1. Time and place
Set a time and place (with no distractions, such a phone, or noise, or hustle and bustle of daily life) where you can focus on your meditation for Sankalpa practice. Good places to set a Sankalpa include:
- Out in nature, such as for walking or meditation
- Night time before bed
- Mornings before and/or after yoga practice
2. Positive Goals
Think about positive goals you want to achieve in life. Think of simple short term goals that lead to bigger long term goals in life.
Or maybe its an affirmation you want to remind yourself of daily. What would you like to remind yourself of daily:
- You are good enough?
- You can achieve?
- You deserve love, a sense of self love, compassion and self care?
This should be lead with the heart. Heart felt and not ego driven, hence why meditation plays a major part in this method of setting goals and intentions.
3. Meditate
Meditate on this: youtube has a whole host of videos for this purpose that can be listened to or downloaded to listen to offline, such as this yoga nidra video by sparkling yoga. Alternatively, you can listen to one that you find that you think suits you more.
Do the session, then when your mind and consciousness is more open, then you can focus on your Sankalpa.
4. Sit with your Sankalpa
Sit with your Skankalpa, repeat it in your mind, over and over for about 5 minutes. Longer if you wish.
5. Intentions
Make sure you set intentions to work towards your Sankalpa daily.
6. Allocate time
Make sure you set aside time daily to meditate and manifest your Sankalpa.
Plant this Sankalpa flower seed and let it grow and flourish. Tend to it daily, water it, care for it, show it love, give it space and time to grow.
Then see what happens in your life. Who knows where it could lead?
Try to not come at the Sankalpa with a problem that needs fixing, but a desire or a passion from the heart that needs tending to.
There you have it: not that complex. When you set time in your day to think about and practice what you want to achieve in life, you will then allow yourself the space and time to welcome it into your life.
It really works, but you have to set time daily (even if it’s a few minutes) to think about, meditate on and work on your Sankalpa.
– Why Sankalpa Daily? –
You might be wondering why is it so beneficial and important to keep up and incorporate into a daily practice?
In having the space and time to focus on what you want, you will be able to dig deep and immerse yourself in this technique. No matter what background you’re from, or belief system you follow. This can apply to anyone, any time, at any age.
You will create space to deeply focus on what it is you really want in life.
Allowing yourself to decide what is important and to keep yourself focused on what you intend to achieve.
The desire is always there in all of us, to focus more on what we want. Especially in a constructive way, when everything seems so external. We never go internal to find answers. It’s a good way of focusing our energy without ego. By meditating in this way, it cements the actions we wish to take in this life. In a more heartfelt and compassionate way. Its definitely something I will keep up for sure.
What are your opinions? I’d love to hear from you!
Peace and Love,
Aimee Lou 🙂
About The author:
Aimee is a Yoga, Meditation and Move It or Lose It! teacher in located in Middlesbrough, England, UK.
To find out more, visit www.amalateesside.com
Touching The Summit 