Tapas is a Yoga word with a big meaning – it relates to change and the need for staying power, determination and self discipline in the process. Within Tapas are two other really important elements - Abhayasa, meaning consistent, repeated effort and Vairagya, meaning not obsessing about results.

For those who set a New Year’s resolution, by February most will have given up. Why? Because we might have set an unrealistic goal, we want results too quickly, or we struggle to put the effort in regularly enough.  

We can create change any time we want to, it doesn't have to be a New Year. How we go about it is what matters.

​How can we deal better with a change we'd like to make?

1. Be realistic about an aim or aspiration, and timescale.
2. Consider where you are now compared to where you’re wanting to head towards.  
3. Form a plan of baby steps that could take you from a to b. Maybe jot down comments or notes about how you’re getting on with your plan – the baby steps will become milestones!.
4. Chip away, and be kind if there’s a few backward steps and falters.
5. Be consistent and creative – babies try many ways (and have help at hand!) to get onto their feet, they fall down before they master walking!.
6. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t work to plan – let go of the striving for end results, look how far you've come with your baby steps, maybe create another plan - or, even better become more content with every step forward so far!.

What could you create for yourself with the mix of consistent, repeated effort and determination? 

To find out more about Tapas
www.yogauonline.com/yoga-basics/third-niyama-tapas-inner-fire
​​www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/philosophy/understanding-the-niyamas-tapas

A Sankalpa is a personal, positive, intention or resolve. Use it as a commitment to yourself to bring out the best in you. 

Usually a brief set of words, present or future tense, that picks you up when life knocks you down; times of stress, change, low self esteem, overwhelm, loss, or illness, for example.

It takes thought, and usually time, to settle on a Sankalpa – it needs to be an intention towards personal growth and steadiness and to be able to span situations for many years to come.

Instead of a New Year’s resolution of, for example, “I will stop smoking”, a Sankalpa would be broader – “I will take good care of myself”.  This way, we can apply it to many situations, for a long time to come; when we notice we’re saying “yes” to too many people, we’re running low on energy, we feel others are taking advantage of us, or we’re beating ourselves up over something.

What words could you say to yourself to bring out the very best in you? 

Find out more about Sankalpas:
What Is a Sankalpa Practice and How Can it Help You Live With Intention?