Tapas is a practice of balanced austerity, sacrifice, discipline. Tapas means “heat” or “fire.” Go through the heat and accept it – invite it in. The fire brings transformation. If you are not in stillness, you are craving or having aversion. Transformation happens through the fire – burn off some layers and emerge as something new – a Phoenix.

Give yourself fully to your dharma (your life’s mission).

Develop courage, strength and simplicity. Staying in a challenging yoga practice and sitting in a long meditation are both examples of  disciplined practices – physical heat is generated, which “burns” the ego away to reveal the true inner spirit.

Via gaiaflowyoga.com