Tapas (no, not the Spanish kind)

🔥 Tapas 🔥

The term Tapas (no, not the Spanish kind) comes up a lot in yoga. Here's what it means:

It is rooted in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

• Yoga Sutra II.1 describes Tapas as part of Kriya Yoga: discipline, self-reflection and orientation towards something higher.
• Yoga Sutra I.14 stresses that practice becomes stable when it is carried out over a long time, continuously and with devotion.
• Yoga Sutra II.43: through Tapas, “impurities” are reduced, and body and perception become clearer.

All three point in the same direction:

Growth happens where you consciously invest energy over time.

What does this look like in everyday life, in the middle of city life?

• Use your commute
  Part of your journey becomes practice: reading, reflecting, breathing consciously instead of scrolling on autopilot.
• Show up despite being tired
  Invest 10 minutes after a long day: movement, music, cooking, writing. Not perfect, but consistent.
• Stay focused in a noisy environment
  Set boundaries: less stimulation, less screen, more attention for what really moves you forward.
• Learn slowly
  Pick one topic and stick with it, for months or years. Progress is often quiet.
• Choose conscious routines
  Sleep, food, movement, keeping small promises to yourself.

At its core, Tapas isn't harshness but calm, consistent discipline. The ability to keep coming back to what matters to you, even when it's uncomfortable.