Tapas is one of the five niyamas of yoga, or moral disciplines that guide yogis in their daily practice. Translated to english, Tapas means to heat or shine. Not to be confused with agni, which is often used to describe the fire of purification created through the yoga practice (and also the name of the Hindu God of fire). Instead, tapas is the act of building the inner fire, it is a process of self discipline that ultimately leads to change. Tapas in the Physical Practice of Yoga Practicing the yoga postures is one of the easiest ways to feel tapas in action. While there are some styles of yoga that are cooling,…