The Sanskrit word sankalpa can be translated as 'resolve' or 'resolution.'  In the Western world, it is best correlated as a prayer or spiritual affirmation.  However, Sankalpa goes deeper than just a random prayer; it is more of a life mission statement.  It is an important technique and stage of yoga and a powerful method of reshaping one's personality along positive lines.

Satsang is the essence of yogic and spiritual life.  The word sat means "truth" and sang means "association."  Satsang, therefore, means "association with truth," "an encounter with truth" or "association with those who are following the path of truth."

Eight Limbs of Yoga in Greater Detail

I. Yamas (Universal Morality)

1. Ahimsa – Compassion for all living things

The word ahimsa literally mean not to injure or show cruelty to any creature or any person in any way whatsoever. Ahimsa is, however, more than just lack of violence as adapted in yoga.

The Eight Limbs of Traditional Yoga

1. Yama (abstentions) –
(1)   non-killing,
(2)   truthfulness,
(3)   non-stealing,
(4)   continence,
(5)   non-receiving of gifts.