We've been exploring the third niyama, tapas, on our mats lately. Literally translated as heat, we know practicing tapas causes positive change through self-discipline, effort, and simply making the choice to show up for yourself day after day. We are whole and complete, but sometimes we need to burn away some impurities so that the best version of ourselves may shine. As Nicolai Bachman writes:

Make a change.

Feel the heat of resistance

melt away old habits

and burn through ruinous conditioning.

Offer negative behavior

into the fire of tapas

and chart your course toward freedom.

First, we set goals. They don't have to be something like completing an Ironman triathlon, either. Maybe our goal is to obtain a professional certification, spend more quality time with our family, paint the living room, or train a new puppy. Then we figure out what we need to do to reach our goals, and we make a promise to ourselves to do those things. Easier said than done. But tapas can help us.