Surya Namaskar - Salutations to the Sun

Photo Credit :- kike-vega-F2qh3yjz6Jk-unsplash

One evening, as I was walking along the beach at St Kilda, Melbourne and I was captivated by a lady doing Sun Salutations very gracefully. I didn’t want to embarrass or disturb her privacy by staring at her but kept walking and watching. It was a perfect rhythm and control of body and mind. I also do Sun Salutations, sometimes at home but not so perfect and natural and I was impressed. She must be a yoga teacher or some serious Yoga student. Anyway, this made me think a bit these ancient yoga postures and the benefits a Sun Salutation or a Surya Namaskar gives to the practitioner. Traditionally, Sun salutations are performed in the morning during the Sunrise but, hey with our busy and hectic lifestyle, doing it sometime is better than not doing at all. Apart from normal physical and muscular strength, body co-ordination Sun Salutations provides immense benefits by activating the major chakras and the associated Endocrine glands and thus generating the important hormones useful for a health body and mind. In Hindu tradition Sun is worshipped as a visible Deva or God. He is called as Surya Narayana. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna mentions the name of Sun God as Vivisvan. Chapter Four, Verse 1 Krishna says

“Sri-bhagavnn uvaca:-

imam vivasvate yogam

proktavan aham avyayam

vivasvan manave praha

manur ikṣvakave bravit

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvaku”.

So, it is not unusual in India worship Sun God. When Sun is rising, people offer oblations with water to Sun God, even though many may not do Surya Namaskars, they at least close their eyes for few seconds, fold their hands in reverence.    

Depending on the Yoga school you visit and the system they are following, the asanas or the poses are called differently but, basically there are 12 poses as below,

Prayer Pose (Pranamasana)

Upward Salute (Hastauttanasana)

Standing Forward Bend (Hasta Padasana)

Low Lunge (Ashwa Sanchalanasana)

Plank (Phalakasana)

Knees-Chest-Chin (Ashtanga Namaskara)

Cobra (Bhujangasana)

Downward Facing Dog (Adho mukha śvānāsana)

Low Lunge (Ashwa Sanchalanasana)

Standing Forward Bend (Hasta Padasana)

Upward Sslute (Hastauttanasana)

Prayer Pose (Pranamasana)

And, each set of Sun Salutation starts and ends with Pranam Mudra (gesture) of joining the hands.

Here is a nice and easy picture which basically shows the Asana or the pose, breathing which is very important (inhale/Exhale) and the name of the major Chakra that is strengthened by the asana.