Sankalpa (Sanskrit: संकल्प) means an intention formed by the heart and mind -- a solemn vow, determination, or will. ... A sankalpa is a tool meant to harness the will, and to focus and harmonize mind and body.
~Wikipedia

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In it's clearest form the word Sankalpa can be defined in a short concise sentence as seen above.  However for those that work with a Sankalpa they know that the journey into this mystical realm is deep, expansive and soaring all at once.  After working with sankalpa for over 7 years I am only just recently finding my voice to engage in conversation around this life changing source of inspiration.

To establish a sankalpa it is important to set aside time for when your intellectual mind can be quiet so that the felt-sensations of your heart can open. When the mind is quiet and the heart is open it provides an opportunity for our sankalpa to reveal itself naturally which will ensure that it is in alignment with your true nature.

We then formulate our sankalpa into a positive, present-moment, conscience statement in the form of "I AM" or any present tense statement.  Some examples might be  "I AM KIND", "I AM WORTHY", "I AM WILLING AND ABLE TO STEP INTO MY LIGHT".  

This tender seed-like statement can then be repeated whenever the brain waves of the mind are slowed to a more receptive state to ensure the planting of your seed in fertile soil.  Some examples are mediation, just as you wake or fall asleep, or in the relaxed offerings of a yoga nidra practice. 

In the practice of yoga nidra the request to state your sankalpa will be asked two times during the practice.  Once at the beginning and once at the end. Each time we repeat our sankalpa for three rounds internally.  "I AM WORTHY, I AM WORTHY, I AM WORTHY..." A sankalpa is first silently said at the beginning of your Yoga Nidra experience and with your whole heart. It brings focus and attention to where you are headed in your practice. It helps if you use your senses to imagine what it would be like if it were already true.  Once again, the request to repeat your sankalpa three times will happen near the end of Yoga Nidra, namely, when you are totally at ease and in the fertile delta brain-wave state, and before coming back to full awareness. This is when your brain is most receptive.

With your attention you plant the seed of your Sankalpa. It is then handed over to the universe to create 'the code' of your sankalpa seed.  Your sankalpa may be like a marigold seed sprouting within 5-7 days or more like an acorn seed taking 5-6 weeks to germinate.  Some sankalpa's mirror a pine cone, requiring a tremendous amount of heat and fire to open.  It may even be a garlic bulb, best planted in the fall where it can strengthen in roots while laying dormant in the winter earth and be hearty and strong when the spring comes. We cannot control the type of seed (this is hands off).  We can however attend to both the planting and nurturing of the seed of our sankalpa. 

You stay the course by tending to your seed with water, light and soil.  The water is the ability to trust in the flow of life. The light that you attend with is your fire.  Your ability to burn through your inner resistances, old habits and programs.  Your soil is your continuous actions that support the fruition of your sankalpa.

You place your attention into the planting of the seed.  The universe places its attention into the code of the seed. The union of your consciousness with THE consciousness produces the fruit.  But when and how are unknown.  Always unknown. Often times in present moment we cannot always see how the universe has our back.  Yet, when something comes into fruition we can look back over our shoulder and see all the little and big steps that led us to that point of recognition.