Tapas is one of my favorite niyamas.

It’s the idea that the uncomfortable can make us stronger.

Tapas means heat – and in this context, it relates to a focused heat for the sake of discipline.

We build this heat internally throughout the asana practice.

And we summon it in the tough situations where we work toward self-improvement.

On day 4, I prepared for the ultimate tapas experience: climbing Tiger’s Nest.

Tiger’s nest is where Guru Padmasambhava flew into Bhutan in the 8th century from Tibet on the back of a tigress, bringing Buddhism to the country. He meditated here for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, and 3 hours.

The guides told us this story as truth.

And who am I to question it?

A monastery was built at the top of the mountain, many have gone there to meditate, and it is still considered a sacred site where people come from all over to visit. (An Indian man asked if I was on a spiritual pilgrimage. I answered, “yeah, I guess I am”).

Tiger’s Nest is over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) – nearly straight up.

There were so many people climbing the mountain, mostly Indian, but also Bhutanese women in flip flops with babies on their backs. As we were all struggling, they climbed the mountain like it was something they did every day (maybe it was).

It drizzled off and on as we made our way up; once we got closer to the top, it was hailing.

The rumors circulated that the gods were not pleased.

The monastery at the top was full of offerings like bags of chips, drinks, money, and people prostrated before the statues.

On the way down, the rain became more steady, and the dirt turned into a mudslide.

There were also donkeys taking people up the mountain. So imagine what else was part of the mudslide.

It took us at least twice as long to descend as it did to hike up the mountain.

I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t fall. I think more than half of our group fell in the…er…mud.