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For those of you unfamiliar with the sun salutations, I’m not talking about some kind of tribal sun dance. The Sun Salutations, or ‘Suraya Namaskara’, is a section of asanas (poses) that flow by ‘vinyasa’ which refers to the coordination of movement and breath. There are a few set sequences (Classical Sun Salutation, Sun Sal A and B) and are practiced in pretty much every style of yoga.

Now. We because usually practice them at the beginning of a yoga class, it leads us to believe that they are just warm-ups, preparing our bodies for the actual practice. Which in one context is true, it does warm our muscles and joints for the rest of the class, but in fact that sequence is perfectly adequate as a practice all on its own.

Here are a few benefits of practicing the sun salutations:

  • It stretches the muscles of all major muscle groups
  • Improve heath of the spine by moving it in various directions
  • It purifies every Chakra
  • It includes an inversion (downwards facing dog) which helps to detoxify the body
  • It restores all systems of the body
  • It builds strength in the muscles. In particular the arms, legs and abdomen
  • It improves Cardiovascular Fitness
  • The constant breath focus helps to clear the mind

The sun has been worshiped in many cultures for many years as its seen as ‘the giver of life’- so too in India. The word ‘namaskar’ in Sanskrit is derived form the word ‘namas’ meaning ‘to bow to’ or ‘to adore’. Traditionally Suraya Namaskara are practice facing to the east every morning to great the rising sun, as a sign of that adoration towards its life-giving energy as it is said that the sequences ‘bring health to the body and sunlight to the spirit’.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (the father of the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga) quotes the saying “Arogyam bhaskarad icchet” in his book, Yoga Mala, which means ‘one should desire health from the sun’. He speaks of the practice as a ‘prayer in motion’ a prayer for strength of body, strength of mind, strength of the senses, elimination of diseases, inner happiness and “ultimate liberation from transmigratory existence” He also talks with passion about how practicing in the traditional way, as described in the ancient yogic texts, suraya namaskara can have a huge effect on the mind and is said to even cure mental illness.

Now while that’s a great and convincing argument for us to great the sun every day, most of you probably don’t live in India or somewhere it’s warm enough to be outside on your mat at dawn, or are even gasping at the idea of practicing at dawn at all. While I will advise you to, next time you are somewhere warm, give sunrise suraya namaskara a try because it does feel amazing, I totally understand that’s not possible for all of us every day… and that’s ok! The sequence practiced anywhere, at whatever time still has the same physical and mental benefits as I mentioned before.

I mainly practice Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga (as you may have guessed from the Pattabhi Jois reference) and while I love nothing more than a full hour and a half Ashtanga primary series in the morning, there are days when that’s just not possible- so I take 10 minutes to salute the sun instead, and even simply doing that I have noticed that I think less, am more productive, I feel great and I am generally happier (…I suppose that must be the ‘sunlight in your spirit’ part of the argument)

So why not try it? Next time you’re telling yourself that you don’t have time for asana practice, roll out your mat and give thanks to the sun.

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