LIVE WELL: Self-discipline is worthy work - Local News - Colorado Springs, CO on Astini News

& Let?s talk tapas. Not those delicious tiny plates of finger foody goodness that came from Spain. Tapas, as defined in yoga, is a ?fiery self-discipline.? It is one of the five niyamas of yoga. Niyamas are considered the observances, and of the eight limbs of yoga, they make up the second limb. Tapas is also defined as austerity, which dictionary.com defines as: ?severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness.? That?s a bit militant for me. I prefer the self-discipline definition, though every yoga practitioner might have a different interpretation. Likewise, there are many and varied ways one could go in working tapas in a yoga practice. I wrote about cultivating a santosha (contentment) practice at the beginning of summer, as one way to live through the next few months. Santosha is also one of the niyamas. Now that summer days are dwindling, I?ve moved my focus to tapas. It seems appropriate for the fall months, when many are returning to a more scholarly way of life, or if not school, perhaps feeling that same urge to buckle down and work on personal or work projects. It is here we can incorporate tapas off the mat and into life. I like to begin from my rectangular, hole-y, sweat-drenched, dark blue, Jade mat. I entice my sometimes reluctant body to it nearly every day, to return to the practice, to return to working and growing my self-discipline. These regular sessions build the heat in my body that can then begin to burn off impurities in the body, the mind and the spirit. You tell me ? how do you feel after a juicy yoga practice? A little bit closer to the essence of you, right? At least, that?s the over-arching hope. Now take tapas off the mat. It is a return, over and over, to committing to that relationship with a partner who forgot to wash the dishes once again or came home cranky and bit your head off. It is a commitment, again and again, to your children even when they say, ?I hate you, mama,? or coming back to a meaningful work project even when funds get cut off. As with santosha, and the other niyamas, this is life-long work. It?s challenging to even consider self-discipline when temptations are so much easier. It?s much less work to sit back and watch another tv show or to gossip a bit longer on the phone. But that?s where you can start. You can say no to what doesn?t really nourish you in the long run, and say yes to building that purifying fire in your belly. Tapas is like controlled burning, when fires are intentionally set to burn off fuel build-up and decrease the chances for larger, more uncontrolled fires. Burn through your own muck. Make no mistake, this is a challenge for yours truly. I?m not blissfully gliding through life with loads of determination and an inner fire that could roast marshmallows. I have no trouble committing to the physical practice. But once the postures melt into my body and I?m out living in the world, things can change quickly. I come up with brilliant ideas and then pick up a book, which is much easier. I make grand plans, and then re-watch a ?Sex and the City? episode for the fifteenth time. Self-discipline can feel like a one step forward, three steps back enterprise. But sitting down, committing and building that heat, can never not reward you. Here?s the first pose that tapas brings to my mind. Practice away: Dolphin ? This pose looks just like downward facing dog, only you?re on your forearms and palms instead of just your palms. Start by kneeling. Grab each bicep with the opposite hand. Hold that and bring your elbows down to the ground. Keep elbows down, let go of bicep and straighten the arms out in front of you, palms down, fingers spread wide. Now find down dog. Lift your knees up and walk your feet in until you feel challenged. Stay here and breathe. Don?t let your head touch the mat. Either look toward your feet or down between your forearms. To build more strength, lift and hold one leg up at a time.?Jennifer Mulson teaches yoga at CorePower Yoga in Colorado Springs. Friend her on Facebook: facebook.com/jennifernmulson.... Click here to continue to the story &