Day 14 ----Thursday

Happy Thursday! Or should I say Happy Paid time off from Work Day because my brother is visiting?

This morning I let Ryan sleep in and I grabbed a morning yoga class with my friend Tab. She got called off from work as of last night and sent me a text wondering if I wanted to go to a yoga class with her in the a.m? Of course! We headed off to the Haven at 0930 for an hour and a half of yoga bliss:)

Today's class blended teaching's of "tapas" with plenty of challenging poses presented by our teacher this morning.

I found this definition of tapas on the Internet that I thought best described "tapas" in it's entirety.........Read Below ....

Tapas is loosely defined to mean enthusiasm, excitement and discipline towards yoga--a sort of inner fire to be the best you can be while practicing yoga. In order to fully commit to yoga, many believe you must practice tapas in its entirety. Read on to learn how to practice tapas in yoga.

InstructionsThings You'll Need:
Basic Yoga Knowledge

Step 1. Find self-discipline to practice yoga. Creating tapas with your yoga means starting daily practice for even a few minutes at home each day. Instead of making excuses, find a way to work yoga into your life.

Step 2. Listen to you body and work harder to make it balanced. Never give up on a yoga pose or do it half-heartedly. Find the tapas in yourself to take it to the next level.

Step 3. Strive for purity. By practicing tapas, each pose creates raw energy that stimulates the muscles and the mind. By practicing tapas and exhibiting purity in daily life, you are constantly becoming closer to your soul, or god, depending on what you are searching for?

Step 4. Practice tapas with each asana. Push down a little bit further, breathe deeper and strive to reach a higher spirituality.

Step 5. Simplify your life to practice true tapas. As you unclutter your mind from material possessions, you may be able to more closely focused on the teachings of yoga. With the distraction of television, MP3 players and cell phones, you need to exert extra tapas to make it through the day.

Step 6. Learn to appreciate stillness. Tapas does not need constant movement. Energy can be created from remaining perfectly still. Discipline is needed to hold the same pose for 15 minutes or more. Let tapas keep your arms from sagging, your back straight and your head in the asana.

Step 7. Remember that tapas is a yoga concept that can be applied to any part of your life. It is not something that must be done, it simply is done. It is an internal discipline that drives you forward, using yoga as its medium.

Namaste. May you practice tapas ( I am not talking about the the spanish appetizer's here) with great vigor and enjoyment:)