TAPAS

Practice is often referred to as Tapas, in Yogic terminology. Tapas literally means to burn. It refers to the austerity of committing yourself to a consistent practice. It is the small sacrifices we make for the larger return. Tapas also refers to the passion of wanting to get free, healthier, and more open to life and love. Let's face it. Sometimes the Yoga feels great, sometimes it takes tremendous effort to get on the mat. Yoga is much like a relationship; it takes effort, and yet it is wonderfully rewarding. The great thing with Yoga is that you always get more than what you put into it. As we learn to be more self reliant in cultivating our well being, it does take a load off of our expectations of others, and frees up the relationship to surprise us in other ways. It is said that we practice Tapas, or austerity, on the mat, so that we can be free and clear for our relationships and life. If we do not, the back log of stress and frustrations envelope us and loads everything and everyone we come into contact with. It always falls back into our own lap, and as it is always our choice how we experience things, as the Yogis say, suffering is optional! Pain, is a part of life, so when we embrace the necessary discomfort, ie the sensations we experience in a stretch, we can avoid unnecessary suffering that is yet to come. It is a small sacrifice to make, when we can avert so much future distress that could come our way.

Sanskrit Word of the Day

Dṛṣṭi 

Drishti, formed from the sanskrit root dṛś(to see), is used in yoga to signify the gaze, or more specifically where the gaze falls.  Note the use of the vocalic ṛ (something not present in english) and the retroflex ṣ and ṭ.  Drishti, along with bandhas and ujjayi breath are the three fundamental components of the traditional ashtanga vinyasa practice.