Sun Salutation / Surya Namaskar

“The world begins with the coming of light” 
Erich Neumann, Jungian analyst 

Sun Salutation - YOU can do it!!!

What a great way to start a day! 

You just press your palms together and place to the heart and beautiful series of asana can start. It is a wonderful way to awaken your body, to stretch, to say good morning to yourself and to the world.

The sequence in Surya Namaskar is perfect.
Each pose has a different meaning designed to center you in your heart, to focus your mind, to energize and to give you strength.
It’s a great workout for the whole body – you stretch, you flex and you tone your muscles but you also express your gratitude to the Sun, our basic source of life!

It started 2000 years ago when Hindus started honoring the Sun through the dynamic asana sequence knowing today as - Surya Namaskar (Surya = sun, namas = ‘to bow to’) so naturally the best time to do Sun Salutation is in the morning, in the direction of the sun, on empty stomach, however – in my opinion – it can be done anytime during the day. The fact is that it will always have positive effect on you! 

Surya Namaskar, image by Maya Toracki, 2015, All rights Reserved

I do minimum 6 sequences. I start slow, sometimes staying for 2 breaths in one pose with a deep concentration. Then I move little bit faster, with inhale or exhale assigned to each pose, except downward dog where I like to stay for 3-5 full breaths. If I decide to do more than 6 repeats, I go with 10 or 12 and then I make my sequence faster; they become like a beautiful flow. Breath is definitely effective tool to follow while mind is settled but strong. You are – present and peaceful.

It can be combined with other asana but in each case it should be done under supervision and under the guidance of a trained and experienced yoga teacher.
By practicing every day you can reap benefits very quickly. Just be gentle to yourself and being gentle you are practicing ahimsa (Non – violence)

Although many variations have evolved over the years there are 7 basic poses (some are repeated) and each has different meaning.
1. Mountain Pose  / Tadasana  - centres you
2. Forward bend / Uttanasana – relaxes you
3. Flat back / Ardha Uttanasana – energize you
4. Plank and Chaturanga – makes you strong, powerful
5. Cobra or Upward Facing dog – energize your spine 
6. Downward Facing Dog – relaxing, grounding pose 
7. Flat back - brings confidence 
8. Forward bend – relaxing pose
9. Tadasana – seals the sequence.

My Advice:
- Be gentle to yourself
- If you have back pain or back problem it is always good to consult a Doctor!!
- Respect and LOVE your body – do not imitate your Yoga Teacher or anybody near you. LISTEN your body and do what you can do. There is always another time!!!

Namaste.
Maya T.