Develop your Tapas; your inner resolve
'Tapas' is one of the five niyamas that we commit to as part of our yoga practice (the practice is more than just the physical asanas or meditation / dharna and dhyana). Tapas translates as hard work, focus, austerity and a regular yoga practice. Tapas is how positive healthy habits and a regular yoga practice are formed.
'Tapas' signifies restraint of the mind and all of your senses. It is more than giving up a luxury. It is about making your mind do something that it really doesn't want to do or not letting it do something it does want to do. For example, getting up early to do your meditation practice or not gossiping about others or living a simple life.
Tapas assists you in purifying and strengthening your mind. You do something that is difficult in order to develop mental strength and will power. In its essence, Tapas is a tool to help us meditate more effectively, e.g. the more we do the things that require dedication, the stronger our mind becomes to focus and meditate.
We often find resistance to making positive changes in our lives - think of all the excuses your mind makes up when you don't want to do something that you know may benefit you (like booking that yoga class). Tapas recognises that it takes consistent effort to create new habits. Slowly but surely with regular continued effort, we create positive change.
Share your story
We would love to hear how you practice Tapas: what things do you do that you know or good for you, but your mind doesn't always fancy?
