“The man who does not give up when tests come is happy. After the test is over, he will receive the crown of life. God has promised this to those who love Him.” James 1:12

The 3rd element of Niyama is Tapas, which translates to “heat,” “fiery discipline,” or “steeliness.”

In yoga, it directs me to practice self-discipline, recognize and commit to my holy inner fire, and give persistent effort to burn through habits and impurities, fostering personal growth and consistency in both my faith and my yoga practice.

“The fires of refinement come with a cost, but also with a promise. His grace has been extended forth to you for restoration, confirmation, strengthening, and being established in Him.” – Robin Bertram, No Regrets: How Loving Deeply and Living Passionately Can Impact Your Legacy Forever

Tapas in the Bible

From the first people, to the creation of the Church, to my life today in 2026, hardship is part of the human experience. God doesn’t promise a worry-free life, a problem-free life or a life free from struggle and pain. He just promises that it will be used for our good and that we won’t go through it alone. Tapas in my faith reminds me of this. 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you.” Isaiah 43:10

Sometimes, it is my friendships and my spouse who is the voice of refinement. They question me when they see that I might be making decisions that don’t line up with who I want to be, as a woman, a believer, a spouse or a parent. This gentle refinement can be met with defensiveness and detachment because it’s easier. Or, I can see this as God’s way of sending people into my life to help refine what no longer serves me, or something I have adopted in my life or mind because of limiting self-beliefs and self-criticism.

“Iron is made sharp with iron, and one man is made sharp by a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify . . . and refine them like gold and silver.” Malachi 3:3

Tapas in Life

My life has been like almost everyone else’s – I have seen my wildest dreams become reality, I have watched some of those dreams die unexpectedly or fade away without cause or warning. I have built myself up and I have let myself down. I have take steps in courage and faith, and then I have had moments where I shrank into negative self-talk and a limiting mindset.

In every season, there was a distillation process. A burning off to leave what is pure behind. Distillation allowed the separation of negative energy, mindset, family and relationships to naturally disengage from my path and my heart. It isn’t easy – there is fire and burning involved.

Tapas teaches me just this: there will be pain involved in the separation, but it will be necessary to make my heart more pure. God removed people, places and things from my life, and the more I hold on, the more painful it will be. 

Think of Tapas like a big rope. It is pulling things out of you – doubt, sin, people, old patterns, retired ideas, false truths, negativity – and if you hold onto the rope tightly – out of fear or comfort – then your hands will get calloused and bloody. 

Tapas also tests your resolve when it is easier to let yourself off the hook, give up the dream, say the work is too hard for you to handle, or walk away from a relationship instead of healing the parts of you that need to be healed in order for you to be healthy. Tapas asks, “Do you really want it? Or do you just want it if it is easy?”

Tapas in Yoga

Have you ever been in a yoga class and thought, “Ugh, chair pose? Again? For how many breaths?” That is Tapas – holding you in a place of discomfort so you can get to the root of yoga: uniting the mind, body and heart.

“Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted — in body, mind, and heart — and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow — or we begin to flow more in our lives.” – Cybele Tomlinson

Tapas is what occurs when you are in an Asana pose, and your mind starts to tell you it’s time to ease out of it. Not because it’s painful. But because it’s hard. It is pushing against the limits of what you are already comfortable with. 

Think About It

Both in your faith and in your daily life, Tapas as a yoga practice helps you define what is meaningful to you, what you’re willing to work for to achieve, and to surrender to the separation that happens when things leave your life. Let that inner fire guide you away from what is not right for you and towards what God has in store. 

• What are two small steps I can make that point me in the direction God is calling?

• What areas of my life am I putting out less effort because of fear?

• What areas of my life is God guiding me to let go, but I am still holding on because I am afraid of hurting someone or because it is more comfortable to stay where I am?

• How can I use Tapas in my yoga practice to move beyond the movements and get into the heart of the transformation?

• If it meant I couldn’t fail, what would I commit to changing in my life today?

I would love to hear how Tapas is being practiced in your own life? Your yoga practice and your Christian faith.

Leave a comment below to inspire others!