Yoga with Mary Bruce in Phoenix Arizona
  • Home
  • Holiday Offerings
  • About Mary
  • Schedule
  • Events
    • Past Events & Workshops
  • Mallorca BJJ and Yoga Festival 2022
  • Media
  • Connections
  • Contact Mary

Mary's Blog

Musings about yoga and life

Events

February 2005 Newsletter

2/19/2005

 
"In order to create there must be a dynamic force and what force is more potent than love." ~ Igor Stravinsky

The month of February takes its name from Februa, the Roman Festival of Purification. It is also the month we observe St. Valentines Day, a celebration of the heart. In yoga, tapas, which literally means to heat, is a form of purification. Tapas is the fire of yoga, a dynamic force that makes you a luminous being, bringing out the luster in you. Tapas is a discipline that involves self-restraint, and when it is ignited by the power of the heart, it is not limiting or binding. When you master the things that challenge you, you become luminous. This is where yoga becomes a tool for transformation.

Tapas can be provoking, almost confrontational. Here's the principal: A match has all the potential for fire within it yet needs a catalyst, a provocation for luminosity. The teacher nurtures and provokes bringing out the flame inherent in you. Tapas purifies the body and mind by burning away all that is unnecessary and that no longer serves you. When focus is directed, old patterns and habits fall away. Through tapas we become energized and realize our potential through the awakened heart.

Tapas is a force of alchemy that purifies you as a way to become a stronger vessel to contain the power of Shakti, the creative force within us all. We cultivate this during our practice through mindfulness, observance of the breath, skillful sequencing, and the practice of alignment. Aligning with your true nature is a gateway to go deeper into the heart. Technical alignment helps to honor and support this unfolding. The power of yoga is the power to reach inside your own heart for strength and inspiration. Consistent practice and a conscious commitment to your goal illuminates the way and burns through obstacles so that you are better able to express the passion in your heart. It can be summed up best by this quote from the Upanishads: "tapas becomes tejas, the radiant splendor of personality that shows itself in love, compassion, creative action and a melting tenderness which draws all hearts."




Happy Valentine's Day !




Love, Mary

"the only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart"
- rumi


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Author

    Mary Bruce

    Archives

    August 2017
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    July 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    January 2010
    October 2009
    June 2009
    December 2008
    April 2008
    December 2007
    October 2007
    July 2007
    June 2007
    April 2007
    June 2006
    April 2006
    December 2005
    October 2005
    July 2005
    May 2005
    April 2005
    March 2005
    February 2005
    January 2005

    Categories

    All
    #Ayurveda
    #Gatheryoga
    #marybruce
    #PanditRajmaniTigunait
    #ParaYoga

I Would Love to see You in class Soon!

Telephone

(602) 432-7663

Email

maryoga@marybruce.com
Copyright © 2020 MARY BRUCE
  • Home
  • Holiday Offerings
  • About Mary
  • Schedule
  • Events
    • Past Events & Workshops
  • Mallorca BJJ and Yoga Festival 2022
  • Media
  • Connections
  • Contact Mary