Surya Namaskar

What is Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations?

In Sanskrit, the word “Sun” means “Surya” and “Namaskar” means “Salutation”.

Sun Salutations are one of the oldest practices in Yoga dating back to the Vedic times (1500-500 BC).In a more Literal sense, Sun Salutations is actually a prayer to the sun, the giver of life, and is one of the most profound aspects of the yoga practice.

Today, Surya Namaskar is an integral part of most popular forms of yoga practices
and classes for the many therapeutic benefits that this single exercise can offer the practitioner. Surya Namaskar provides all of the key health benefits of yoga in a very succinct package. Whether it is performed as a regular stretch or in a more aggressive repetition style to lose weight and tone the body, the added benefits of this one great asana can be many.

It is believed that if there is only one Yoga Asana you can perform in a day then let it be the Surya Namaskar. This one Asana is actually a graceful sequence of a combination of 12 Independent Yoga Asanas along with specific breathing patterns and can give you a full body workout!

Some of the physical benefits of this wonderful Asana:

• It can be performed as a warm up for the body prior to any exercise regime or post exercise for deeper stretching of the muscles.

• These set of 12 Asanas help in the circulation of the Synovial fluid which lubricates our joints and prepares the body for cardiovascular conditioning.

• The Movements involved work as a stimulation for all the internal organs as well.

• Stimulates the digestive system and circulation of the blood.

• The breathing pattern that is followed in doing Sun salutations helps to activate the function of the lungs & to oxidize the blood. It stimulates the lymphatic system and supports respiratory health.

• Stretch abdominal and intestinal muscles, exercise arms and spinal cord.

• Tone abdomen, muscles of thighs and legs.

• Strengthen nerves and muscles of shoulders, arms, chest and legs.

• Improves posture, flexibility and balance

For those who are interested in the spiritual benefits:

• The Asanas connect each movement with the breath, which carries Prana also knows as life force or the energy of all things through all the organs and tissues of the body.

• It helps in establishing a meditative state of concentration and calm.

• In Hindu mythology, the sun god is worshipped as a symbol of health and immortal life. The Sun Salutation gives reverence to the internal sun as well as to the external sun which is the life force of the universe.

• As we follow our inhale and exhale we experience the fluidity and impermanence of all things. When we are completely synchronized with the life force/Prana, our practice becomes effortless, like floating down a river of life.

• Sun is the main source of energy for the entire universe. There are five fires and seven electric centers in it. Like wise in our body there are five fire glands and seven energy centers (chakras). Surya Namaskar is the only asana which activate all glands and chakras.

How is Surya Namaskar done?

It is a graceful sequence of twelve positions or Asanas linked by a continuous flowing motion, and accompanied by five deep breaths.

Each position counteracts the one before, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing.

One round of Sun Salutation consists of two sequences, the first leading with the right foot and the second leading with the left.

Our search for a good sun salutation video for this article made us come across the following video of Yoga Instructor Esther Ekhart. Her method of instruction is so impressive that we recommend that you visit her site www.yogatic.com and consider subscribing to her youtube channel (We are not affiliated with www.yogatic.com or gaining anything from this recommendation. We found this to be a very useful website and would just like to spread the word)