Spring Balance ~ Recalibrate ~ SaNKALPA

Winter balance reminds us to FLOW ~ with an aim to manage how + when we spend our energy.

We align to the slow, soothing rhythm + pace of winter with practices that conserve energy + help us to recharge by resisting less. We aim to flow with maximum ease + minimum effort. We practice stillness + breathwork to notice ~ to listen deeply + take time to introspect, self reflect + identify better with ourselves, to ACCEPT ourselves so we can be better at BEING ourselves. (See more about Winter balance, reflection, self inquiry + meditation in the BLOG) It’s never a bad time to dive into these themes.

Spring Balance, In contrast, invites us to GROW. With the uprising of Spring vibes, by March we could feel some pressure rising to drive us into action. We use practices of movement + visualisation + breathwork to open + expand our imagination + motivation to action ideas, to start new projects, to change our habits + choose our direction to shift up the gears for the year ahead. Whether or not you know what direction to move in, every compass needs recalibrated to be reliable! We can use a MANTRA to permeate our subconscious with the flavour of growth that we want to move forward with in renewed hope + imagination.

In yoga, the mantra of ‘Sankalpa‘ is our recalibration ~ a short positive statement, reference or identity affirmation. It is a deep intention planted in the subconscious by saying on repeat. It’s an act of recalibration of our profound raison d’etre. Purposefully infusing our choices + decision making with a reference or a meaningful ‘why’. Making a new one each Spring is a profound act of self direction + accountability for how we choose to go forward (although it can be applied at any time of year)

The theory is, rather than identifying surface level goals (such as ‘I will quit smoking’ ~ ‘I will loose *kgs’ ~ ‘I will run *kms a week’ ~ ‘I will be more patient’), that a deeper core intention is committed to around your Identity (who you are becoming) eg ‘I am strong + healthy’ or Direction (how your life moves) eg ‘I live with awareness’ or Surrender (trusting something larger than yourself / the ego) e.g. ‘I am whole as I am’. The idea is that inner alignment produces outer change naturally.

Once you have discovered or committed to your Sankalpa ~ say it to yourself on repeat. On waking ~ On sleeping ~ In mediation ~ Savansana ~ Nidra ~ while hiking, biking etc. Where attention goes, energy flows.

Sankalpa ~ Recalibration

“Sankalpa” is the sanskrit word for a determined promise or vow to ourself to do or become something purposeful or worthwhile.

The method comes largely from Tantric + yogic meditation traditions, especially through practices like Yoga Nidra.

It takes the form of a short positive statement made in the present tense + said on repeat.

For more examples see below in bold.

Decide on the statement that reflects the overall feeling or change that you want to bring to life.

It is important to frame it as a short statement in the present tense. The subconscious responds better to simple instructions + identity statements than future statements or complex phrases. Also, it’s better to use a phrase that’s easy to repeat without thinking.

It should be a positive statement rather than a negative one to manifest the desired effect. I like to remember the story of a celebrated social worker who refused to join an ‘Anti War’ march during the 70s because it used the word ‘War’ in the campaign. She only agreed to join after they renamed it a ‘Peace March’ in the hope that the energy cultivated en-masse would bring around peace rather than more conflict.

Write it down and stick it around your home as reminders. Say it to yourself on waking, before sleeping, during yoga, meditation + relaxation to imprint them in your subconscious.

If you shaken, underwhelmed, or over-whelemed this year or just don’t know what or how to GROW this year revisit the winter reflections + self inquiry to help you understand what you want to bring to light.

Perhaps ask yourself:

• What recurring behaviours, emotions or thought patterns have emerged on or off the mat in the past few months?
• What insight, ideas or motivations arose from the winter season? Or keep coming up year after year?
• Are there recurring signs, feelings, thoughts or emotions that may point to what you want or need?
• Are there recurring signs, feelings, thoughts or emotions or a sense of knowing as to what’s holding you back from aligning with your core values?

It can also be helpful to take intuitive guidance from your Birth Chart (Astrology) or Numerology ~ Contact Bec for a Conscious Flow session.

What you choose should be a personal mantra, motto or catch phrase that summarises what feels integral to your direction of growth or what you want this year to feel like. It should reflect your values or the general shift you want to feel to enable your potential ~ your true North. And from this overriding theme, more specific goals + intentions will grow.

Here are examples of Sankalpa to help prompt an intuitive response in you:

For trust issues, anxiety or self doubt + uncertainty. Such as control issues, or inability to process worries + anxiety for the future, or if you’re pushing hard for something that is not materialising.

• I trust life + allow it to unfold
• I am grounded in a busy world
• I meet the unknown with calm + curiosity
• I release the need to control everything
• I am safe in this moment
• I move forward one step at a time
• I allow things to grow in their own time
• I give my attention to what truly matters

For struggles with self-worth ~ comparison ~ feeling undervalued, pulled down or often put others needs before your own.

• I know my worth
• I know my worth + honour it
• I choose myself with kindness
• I value my time + energy
• I am enough as I am
• my path is my own
• I celebrate my progress, not perfection

For health concerns, injury, feeling unwell or burnt-out ~ to change unhealthy habits or lifestyle

• I am healthy + strong
• My body knows how to heal
• My choices support my health
• I respect myself + care for my wellbeing
• I nourish my body + mind
• My choices support my health + happiness
• Rest is part of my strength
• I give my energy to what truly matters
• I move through the day with balance

To reframe reactivity, frustrations, disappointments, judgementalism + overthinking or if you feel you are often misunderstood.

• I respond with patience + kindness‘
• I listen deeply ~ to myself + others.
• I pause before reacting.
• I let small things stay small.
• I choose understanding over judgment
• I give myself space to think clearly
• I am patient + kind
• I am listening

For expression & emotional honesty ~ to help overcome self doubt + emotional sensitivity ~ or if you tend to keep your cool + suppress your feelings + want to be more open.

• my voice deserves to be heard.
• I speak my truth with kindness.
• I express my feelings directly + openly
• I honour what I feel
• my honesty creates connection
• My emotions move freely + safely
• I welcome joy into my life
• I am open to making meaningful connections

For motivation, courage, taking action ~ for lack of self-esteem or weak will

• I am proactive I seize the day
• I am open to learn new things
• I take action when the moment calls
• I move forward with courage
• I trust my ability to act
• Small steps create big change
• I show up fully for my life
• I am capable of growth
• I am creative + confident
• I am brave + courageous

For help with relationships or compassion, forgiveness + tolerance ~ or if you’re upset or angry or hurt + it overwhelms you.

• Everything I do comes from a kind heart
• Compassion is my true nature
• I am compassionate toward myself + others
• Kindness guides my actions
• I soften where I once resisted
• I meet others with understanding

For issues around perfectionism ~ perspective ~ if the ways of the world are getting you down.

• I accept that nothing is perfect
• I see the bigger picture
• I allow things to be enough
• I trust the process of life
• Progress matters more than perfection
• I live with awareness
• I see the bigger picture