Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation
A girl worshipping the rising sun (Surya puja)
Source: The Cleveland Museum of Art
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is commonly known as a set of dynamic postures (asanas). These alternating backward and forward bending asanas flex and stretch the spinal column and lumbar through their full range.
The dynamic and breath-centric movements produce physical and physiological benefits, such as proper and efficient functions of muscles and joints, increased mind-body coordination, increased mental focus, and many more.
Surya Namaskar, meaning ‘salutation to the sun’, can be seen as a form of worship of the sun, and all that it represents on the micro and macrocosmic levels. Adoration and worship of the sun was one of man’s first and most natural forms of inner expression.
In yogic terms, this indicates that Surya Namaskar awakens the solar aspects of an individual’s nature and releases this vital energy for the development of higher awareness. This can be realised by the practice of Surya Namaskar each morning, attuning ourselves to the cosmic nature and revitalising our lives.
King of Aundh, Late Shrimant Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi
Source: Wikipedia
Historically, the sequence of poses now known as Surya Namaskar may have developed from an early sunrise practice honoring Surya as the source of energy and light for the world. In the 1920s, the King of Aundh introduced a fixed sun salute series into the schools of his tiny kingdom (now part of Maharashtra) and published a small book, urging every man, woman, and child to adopt this practice for the sake of their physical and spiritual health.
Image: The twelve postures of Surya Namaskar
Source: Sivananda EU
Various versions of the practice were introduced by schools of Yoga and were progressively incorporated into modern-day yogic practices. Apart from its diverse physical benefits, Surya Namaskar also cultivates mindfulness. The stringed postures are a ‘dynamic prayer’ to remind oneself of the shining qualities within.
Beyond the material gain of an energised and harmonised physical structure, Surya Namaskar is a deeper ritual of giving thanks to the sun, our provider, and remembering the shining qualities of the higher self. Regular practise of Surya Namaskar done with full-bodied awareness should eventually help us to break free from our physical limitations and mental sufferings.
Image: Woman gazing at the sun
Source: Pinterest
The seers of the Rig Veda described the sun as:
The remover of all weakness,
healer of all illness,
Lord of all that stands and goes,
He slays the demons
And guards the worshippers.
Finally they state:
We meditate in the adorable glory of the radiant sun.
May he inspire our intelligence.
🌞 Begin or return to the practice of Surya Namaskar today 🌞
Join us for small-group yoga class. Our classes are curated for all levels. They are breath-centric, progressive, and catered to seekers who recognise Yoga Asana as part of the path, but not the whole of Yoga. The physical aspect of Yoga prepares the body and calms the mind, so that we eventually arrive steadily and comfortably in our seat, for the practice of meditation.
References:
Surya Namaskara by Swami Satyananda Saraswasti
The Hindu roots of yoga: Surya Namaskar by Hindu American Foundation
The Ancient Origins of Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation by Yoga International
