Does a yoga class have to mean anything?
We can go through our day or through a yoga practice meaninglessly and still go to bed happy, so, no, it doesn't 'have' to mean anything. However, being open to a more meaningful practice or to living a more meaningful life certainly gives it more potential.
I've been sitting with the subject of Sankalpa for a number of weeks now, I just hadn't managed to bring it together, not until I chatted with my dad on the phone this evening. I'll keep the details brief but in short my Dad is up to mischief!
He lives in a building where they share a communal garden. It is beautifully manicured and well tended, but it's all a little twee, neat and sterile for him, and a battle is breaking out . My dad complained about the gaudy gnomes outside his window and is now planning wildflower guerilla gardening to sneakily rewild it and cause a little chaos!
My question to him was what intention is he planting these seeds with?
If he is seeding them with bitterness and anger it will only fuel this feud. If they get mown, he may not get the response he expects or even if he does, the bitterness and anger will grow. However, if he scatters the seeds with a desire to bring joy, beauty and nectar for the insects, then if the rewilding or chaos doesn’t happen, he will feel he has tried to create something good from a difficult situation and will no doubt persevere.
Or, he can have a bit of fun, create a bit of chaos and move on without attachment to the outcome.
What our intentions are, what seeds we sow in any moment, any situation and any action, plants the seed for 'some-thing' to grow. We choose that some-thing, by choosing what to plant, and therefore what will grow. Being aware of what we're planting and growing gives more 'meaning' to everything.
Another way we can experience this is through the food we eat. Company’s intentions to create fruit and vegetables that are the perfect shape, right colour or that give the highest yields means that our food has lost its taste and flavour. I didn't know what bananas were, naturally, supposed to 'taste' land ‘look’ like until I had locally grown bananas in Sri Lanka. They were much smaller, differently shaped and had so much more flavour!
“Where Attention goes Energy flows; Where Intention goes Energy flows!” ― James Redfield
A Sankalpa is 'more' than words, it is a heart-felt intention. One that is made from deep inside, not through intellect or conscious reasoning. Intentions that we are familiar with; goals or plans, are often 'half hearted' because they come from the mind not the heart. If something hasn't gone to plan we often hear the expression 'it was well intentioned' or 'their heart just wasn't in it. '. A Sankalpa is whole hearted, it becomes part of every heartbeat, every breath, every step, every cell, every-thing. In order to be this heartfelt it has to be in alignment with our truest nature, our highest self; our truth.
To quote myself from this time two years ago!
“We need to find our own truth, what matters and holds true for us in each specific moment. Letting go of other’s expectations, perceived judgements and moving from a place of clarity. A place that holds no fear or worry, just a deep seated sense of knowing.”
This is the place from which a Sankalpa is made.
Spring is the best time to make a Sankalpa, we can see that in nature around us. Seeds have been germinating over winter and are now pushing up, growing and expanding, timing is everything. Not everything grows at the same speed or blooms at the same time. Different plants thrive in different conditions, have different needs and respond to their environment in different ways. Each plant either provides support, protection or food for different species of wildlife. Everything is connected, and has meaning, in the web of life, albeit in its own unique way. We are no different. We are connected to the web of life, our thoughts and actions have meaning, our purpose will be expressed in our own unique way.
As the environment around us shifts through seasons, to thrive and honour our connection to nature, we must also change and shift the way we live. In Ayurveda, Spring is associated with the qualities of Kalpha, the elements of earth and water;
Heavy | Slow | Steady | Solid | Cold | Soft | Oily.
To find balance in Spring we reduce Kapha by adding the qualities of Pitta (fire) and Vata (air) thus shaking off any residual sluggishness or heaviness of Winter, stimulating digestion, elevating our energy and vibrancy, just as Nature is doing.
So this term :
We will explore ways to find our authentic Sankalpa and explore the Pancha Koshas a little. A yoga practice moves through layers of Being (Pancha Koshas) creating a path to the Self.
“Some believe the koshas are key to enhancing awareness of your inner world and developing a connection among your mind, body, and spirit. Attention to your koshas may awaken deeper states of awareness on your path to self-realization.” - Emily Cronkleton
The five koshas exist together and within each other. The physical body composes the outermost layer, while the innermost layer contains your bliss body, or soul.
Last term we explored the Pancha Vayus which are the five directions/qualities of the second layer: the pranamaya kosha is the vital energy, breath, or life force sheath.
Our practice will include: meditation, pranayama (breathwork), gentle movements, dynamic asanas (poses) and relaxation- - hopefully all infused with your personal Sankalpa.
Asanas will include twists, side bends, core work and heart openers to honour the upward expansive energy Of spring.
Each practice will provide a unique experience for each individual student, one that can't be measured or quantified by anyone else.
How much meaning it has, or doesn't have, is individual and perfect for now.
Whether you just want a physical practice to strengthen/ease your body or you want to discover a spiritual connection in your practice all we need to do is arrive on your mat, settle, breathe and make your Sankalpa.
I’ll see you on the mat next week - I’m so looking forward to seeing you!
Ps….if you’re not attending classes with me right now, join the website for free and subscribe to get free access to Daily Doses. You can DM me for some guidance on setting a Sankalpa and then infuse whichever online practice you choose to embrace the energy of Spring with us.
🙏
Om shanti
Sophia
Comments