Tapas – the key to inner stability – Geza Timcak

Tapas is considered one of Patanjali´s niyamas, but it has a millennium-long history. Whilst in raja yoga tapas is listed in the niyamas, the restraint of the chitta is in itself perhaps the strongest tapas.  Hathayoga in its classic form has a strong tradition in various forms of askesis. Still, what is the justification of tapas as askesis? Why is it that both Buddhist and Christian monastic and lay traditions emphasise various types of askesis? How does it contribute to stability (salutogenesis, antifragility etc.)? How does it relate to Santosha? Is it still relevant in the age of ‘pain-free’ and harmony-related yoga?
These and related questions will be covered in the presentation with the aim of increasing understanding of the power of tapas and its message to  present-era yoga practitioners.

Geza M. Timčák obtained a PhD from Imperial College London in 1975, and held academic posts in several universities. He has received various decorations and awards, the most recent (2021) being an award from the city of Kosice for his work in yoga. He first qualified as a yoga teacher in 1979 and has since been a teacher trainer both within the Slovak Yoga Association and abroad. He is currently President of the SYA and an Honorary member of the EUY. For more details see www.timcak.saj.sk 

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