Tapas : Stoking Your Yogic Fire

The ever-elusive handstand press on my soul-mat with my daily mantra

'Tapas', in Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, refers to heat created in the body through either movement (Asana) or breathwork (Pranayama). The heat created through these actions, however, is defined as 'tapas' only when the intention behind the production of this heat is one of purification and self-discipline. By simply showing up for a daily practice, being non-attached to any desires or outcome of the practice, is 'tapas'.

When a practitioner first experiences 'tapas', there is often a strong reaction of rejection... the urge to turn the other way... the desire to ignore. The discomfort that this metaphorical fire brings as it burns away the ego, past habits and our material attachments, will eventually be reduced, and in its place are the residues of clarity, inner calm, and relief. The awakening from constantly stoking our yogic fire and experiencing 'tapas' in our yoga practice, leaves our mind, body and heart open to exploration and higher consciousness.

Namaste.