Tapas & Inertia

To rest or challenge your self?

My practice this week started with the need of supported, reclining postures; long holds & Inversions. Well, that’s what I thought. I was feeling lethargic & I was listening to my body. After a few days of dormant resting postures & wallowing in my inertia , I decided to shift myself mentally. I practiced the opposite to what I thought my needs were. I practiced a dynamic, flowing Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series; fast sun salutations, swift standing postures, the lot. Guess what? I got energised and felt brilliant!

Sometimes its good to challenge your inertia. Change the way you do things. You may start your practice feeling physically tired but this doesn’t mean you need to lie in Svasana for an hour. Challenge yourself & see what positive changes come your way.

Tapas & Inertia

Tapas is one of the Niyamas (personal behaviour observations)

“Tapas can mean cultivating a sense of self-discipline, passion & courage in order to burn away ‘impurities’ physically, mentally & emotionally, and paving the way to our true greatness.”

“ Tapas is an aspect of the inner wisdom that encourages us to practice even when we don’t feel like it, even though we know how good it makes us feel! It’s that fiery passion that makes us get up & do our practice for the love of it, and by committing to this, the impurities are ‘burned’ away.” Emma Newlyn

The Niyamas- observation

Sauca- cleanliness

Santosha- Contentment

Tapas- self-discipline

Svadhyaya- self-study

Isvara-pranidhana- devotion to a higher power