Did you know that roughly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail — most by mid-February? The problem with setting resolutions is that oftentimes they comes from a place of lack. We tell ourselves “I’m not good enough...I need to change xyz...and when I change xyz, then I will be happy.” Does this sound familiar?

In contrast, Sankalpa, which means intention, heartfelt desire, or deep resolve comes from the ancient yoga tradition. In this resolve, you acknowledge that you are already whole and enough. You drop into your heart as opposed to your head, and decide what qualities of your heart you want to amplify even more.

Let’s work with an example. A common goal around the new year is weight loss. With a resolution like mindset, you might say to yourself, I need to lose 5-10 lbs and when I lose that weight, then I will be happy. On the other hand, a Sankalpa approach would be to ask yourself how do you want to FEEL when you lose the weight? Perhaps you want to lose weight to feel freedom in your body, or feel sense of vitality when you wake up in the morning. Maybe you want to honor the fact that you are taking care of yourself.

How to Set a Sankalpa for the New Year

To set your Sankalpa for the new year, practice a five to ten minute seated meditation to drop down and listen to your heart. Sweep your mind over the year that was and acknowledge that life happens and unfolds in cycles. Glance back at the year without judgement or attachment, but just a deep awareness of what transpired.

Then allow your mind to shift forward into the new year ahead. Ask yourself, how do you want to FEEL in your body. Who do you want to BE in this world?

Drop your mind down into your heart and listen to what your heart is yearning for. It’s not something you need to go deep searching for, but rather something that is right there ready to be acknowledged.

Once you find your Sankalpa, say it to yourself in the present tense as if it were already happening now. For example:

• I am energetic

• I am the embodiment of inner peace

• I receive and accept help when I need it

• I am successful in all that I undertake

• I am financially free

• I am loving and loved.

Take a final moment to honor and acknowledge your Sankalpa and then let it go.