Surya Namaskara- Sun Salutation
Surya Namaskar revitalizes every aspect of your being, from physical to spiritual. It is meditation in motion and is deeply potent, wherever and whenever it is practiced.
Start your day with reverence for the sun, the life giving solar energy! It is best to begin all sessions of yoga asanas with Surya Namaskar. An excellent warm up exercise, it consists of 12 different spinal positions which give a varied range of vertebral movements to the spine. It promotes flexibility in the limbs while regulating the breath and focusing the mind. It prepares the body for the asanas. Technically, Surya Namaskar is not an asana but a series of gentle flowing movements synchronized with the breath. It recharges the solar plexus and stimulates the cardio-vascular system.
The starting and finishing positions are the same. Sun Salutation should be done 6-10 times, traditionally early in the morning facing the sun. Early morning hours considered auspicious (hour just before sun rise is called "Brahma muhurta"- Time of God). The mind is supposed to be most calm and clear at this time. Let your breath guide each movement and extend each position over the entire length of each inhalation and exhalation. Repeating the sequence in each of the four cardinal directions, you perform a silent yet powerful ritual of gratitude. Instead of doing the sequence mechanically, contemplate on the vitality of the sun at each step and it will take you to a deeper level of participation.
As you sweep the arms up and bow forward, you honor the earth, the heavens and everything in between. As you lower the body, you connect with the earth. As you bring your hands together in Namaste, you gather the space of the heavens back into your heart and breath, acknowledging that your body forms the center point between heaven and earth.
The essence of Surya Namaskar is really being able to see the sun inside yourself. The sun, which always gives without judgement and any attachment and never receives.
To all the modern yogis- Inspire your practice with the daily practice of the most ancient aspiration of illumination that connects modern yoga to the Vedic tradition.