Salute to the sun - 21st October, 2021
Updated: Oct 21, 2021
Our planet is a beautiful piece of rock, full of flora and fauna. Our lush green landscapes, harsh deserts, and raging oceans are all part of us- this is due to the power our planet derives from the Sun.
The Sun- the only tangible god or so thought by our ancient ancestors. Are they wrong? Who knows, but they did create one of the most versatile, meditative, and cyclic movements called the Surya Namaskar( Literally, Sun salutations).
The Surya Namaskar is made of 12 movements. After completing all 12 of those, you finish one round.
The namaskar consists:-
Tadasana (The Mountain Pose)
Urdhava Hastana (The Upward Salute)
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Ardha Uttanasana (Half Standing Forward Bend)
Phalakasna (The Plank)
Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose)
The Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)
Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)
Ardha Uttanasana (Half Standing Forward Bend)
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
As the cyclic nature of our Sun, so is the cyclic nature of the movements.
When you perform the Surya Namaskar, it works on all your muscles: The hamstrings, biceps, lower back, glutes, chest, triceps, etc.,
When you do perform the Namaskar, you must also inhale and exhale at specific times. This practice anecdotally strengthens your lungs.
Many yogis and yogic practices speak of the spiritual benefits of the Surya Namaskar;. while that is subjective, the movements are meditative and force you to be aware of your movements.
Meditation is intrinsically linked to exercises and movements. When we do exercise, we attain the state of “flow,” Research has shown that being aware of one’s movements has benefits not only to the mind but also to the body, as being aware of each muscle and stretch enables you to move efficiently.
The aim of hatha yoga has always been to make us aware of our own body, the intricate movements that we experience. The fog in our minds and bodies wash away, and the only that remains is you and your physical experience.
The Suryan Namaskar truly is the wisdom of the old ages. A circular movement that makes you move all of your body and, strangely, your mind too.
Perform this exercise with our Workout Of The Day and join us at our online class to learn how to perform the exercises correctly.