Yes, even your tongue is an important part of a yoga practice!
Your tongue works as a "switch" between the gross and subtle body, between the peripheral and central energy systems. It can direct the movement of body parts just by using pranic force. The tongue influences other body movements without heavy muscular activity by triggering different elements in the body (ie: earth, water, wind, etc).
In yoga, there are four distinct parts locate don the hard and soft palates where different energies can be brought under control simply by placement of the tip of the tongue:
1. During asana (physical postures) practice, your tongue should be against the palate behind the root of the upper teeth without touching them. This movement influences the body's wind element and makes breath deeper and body movements smoother and lighter.
2. If you place the tip of your tongue against the center of the roof of your mouth, you increase heat in the body by activating the seat of fire in the mouth.
3. If your mouth is dry, roll your tongue back farther to place the tip at the edge of the soft palate. This is the seat of water in the mouth. This placement also increases energy.
4. Finally, scattered energy can be re-centered by trying to touch the tip of the tongue to the tip of the uvula (that hangy thing in your throat) while imagining the uvula reaching toward the tongue. This movement triggers the seat of the earth element in your mouth, which activates the seat of the earth element in the body...your mula bandha (the energy lock in the perineal area). Try it - you'll feel a lifting down in the pelvic region when you try to bring tongue and uvula together!
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