How To Practice Tapa

The literal meaning of Tapa is to heat or to rule. Tapa is the third discipline of Niyama. Tapa is the action by which warmth or heat is supplied to the body; by which body becomes more active, fresh and strong; by which body is brought under control; and by which body is able to sustain hardship of life. It is a misconception that practice of Tapa is possible for those who lead a secluded life. But in reality it is very much essential to the social and family life which has physical as well as mental stress.

Any type of exercise gives warmth and freshness to the body. However while doing these exercises, mind moves in the outside and has little chance of concentration. For example, while jogging, mind sees the road ahead or sees people or trees along the road. While playing football, mind is fixed on the ball or the players surrounding the ball. But in Tapa, yogic exercise is done or should be done in such a manner that mind remains inside the body and under control. Both physical and mental power is applied to make body fresh, strong and disease-free. So Tapa has the following qualities.

1. Sufficient warmth is supplied to the body.
2. Body becomes fresh and active.
3. Body is able to tolerate pain which may be physical or mental.
4. One becomes able to shoulder all hardships in life.
5. Body and its organs and limbs become so fit that you fully control and rule over them.
6. Body always remains fresh, young, beautiful and soft, but powerful.

In order to get all these benefits mentioned above, you should learn and practice Chakrabhedan. In this exercise, mind is concentrated on various joints/chakras and body parts or limbs are moved repeatedly by counting along six different directions. However some joints may move only in a single direction, like knees and elbows. Detailed method can't be explained in writing. One may learn it by observing. Joints are the places where veins, arteries and nerves are wrapped up. As a result flow of body fluids is obstructed, causing deposits of fat and dead cells or foreign matter. So these are the places where diseases start spreading. But when we apply our mind and action to these joints, all deposits are cleared up and body cells become fresh, lively and young.