Unlocking the Power of Sankalpa in Yoga Nidra Practice: Cognitive Restructuring Processes and Suggestions for Athletes' Health.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) August 10, 2025 Selenia Di Fronso
This opinion article proposes that the Sankalpa stage of Yoga Nidra—formulating and repeating a personal intention—may aid athletes' recovery and mental health by counteracting dysfunctional thoughts, fostering intrinsic motivation, and strengthening mental resilience. Yoga Nidra is described as a meditation practice involving breathing, body awareness, visualization, and cognitive restructuring that can induce a hypnagogic state linked to improved sleep and recovery. The article suggests Sankalpa works like positive self-instructions to stop unhealthy thought patterns and enhance emotional intelligence, but emphasizes that more research is needed to clarify its mechanisms and integrate it into sport programs.