Tapas, Self-Discipline: Turning Up the Heat on Your Life
One of the million things yoga has taught me and continues to teach me daily, is what Patanjali describes in the Yoga Sutras as Tapas: self-discipline.
The word Tapas comes from the Sanskrit root tap, meaning "to burn.” But it’s not just the fire you feel in your shoulders when you’re in Dolphin Pose, or in your core when Ardha Navasana lasts more than two breaths. It’s the fire of transformation, the inner heat that turns effort into growth and intention into evolution.
Self-discipline is the determination that keeps you coming back to the mat even when your wrists are sore, your ego is bruised, and your handstand kick still refuses to reach the wall.
Self-Discipline as a Form of Self-Care
If “discipline” makes you think of stern schoolteachers with rulers and horn-rimmed glasses barking “Sit up straight!”, I feel you.
In a world overflowing with dopamine hits and distractions, self-discipline can seem like a total buzzkill. But here’s another option: it’s not punishment, it’s power. And even more, it’s self-care.
Tapas isn’t about rigid routines or guilt-tripping yourself for not nailing one-legged crow. It’s about showing up for yourself because you believe in the vision you’ve created for yourself. Because when you love something deeply (whether it’s a pose, a project, or a purpose), you’re willing to walk through fire to get there.
When you see it this way, self-discipline becomes a radical act of self-care. And when it comes to achieving any goal, including floating into arm balances and flying through inversions, Tapas is the ingredient you simply can’t skip.
What Happens When You Lack Self-Discipline?
Let’s bust a myth: you are not doomed by your current habits.
Thinking you were just “born this way” (chronically late, unmotivated, or inconsistent) is a fixed mindset, and it’s the fastest way to stay stuck. Growth starts when you admit, “Yep, I kinda suck at this,” and decide to do something about it.
Self-discipline is a skill, one that takes effort to build because, let’s be honest, it means choosing short-term discomfort over short-term pleasure. But it can be learned. And the first step? Get real about the patterns that hold you back, then work on them.
What Does Tapas Look Like in Practice?
Break your goal into bite-sized pieces.
If you’ve never held crow pose before, don’t shoot for floating into the pose from downward facing dog by next week. Start small. One pose at a time. One hold at a time. Build the fire gradually.
Outsource your discipline.
Find your accountability people. Share your progress, ask for feedback, be seen. In our Yogi Flight School Facebook group, students who post regularly, whether it’s wins or faceplants, get more coaching, tend to practice more, and fly their poses faster. Accountability is gold!
Trade some Netflix Time and do the work.
You don’t need to feel “ready.” You just need to begin. Stop waiting until you know more, feel stronger, or look more confident. Start now.
“Be. Do. Have.” is your mantra, not the other way around.
Ready to Stoke Your Fire?
If you’ve been craving lift-off in your yoga practice, it’s time to turn that spark into a flame. Join Yogi Flight School and build the strength, skill, and self-belief to take flight.
With a vibrant community cheering you on and expert coaching to keep you accountable, Tapas won’t just be personal, it’ll be shared! We fall together, we rise together, and we celebrate every step of the journey.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to start.
