March 4, 2023
 |  3,390 Comments

Hope you have enjoyed the warm up postures in Module 1 . Now time to move further and this time we are doing something which has an impact on your body from head to toe . 

Yes we are talking about SUN SALUTATION. Surya Namaskara means – bowing down in reverence to the Sun . Surya Namaskara is a series of 12 yogic asanas.It is a daily practice that helps to balance three bio energies in your body i.e, Vata (air) , Pitta ( Fire ) and Kapha ( water) . First let’s talk about the benefits you get from Sun Salutation  (Surya Namaskara)  : 

  • Improve metabolism 
  • Helps to maintain healthy digestion 
  • Helps to lose weight  and burn fat 
  • Improves concentration 
  • Make body more flexible 
  • Strengthen the spine 

How to perform Surya Namaskara 

  1. Pranamasana (Prayer pose)- Stand straight, bring your feet together and your palms together on your chest , breathe normally 
  2.  Hastauttanasana (Raised arms pose)-  Inhale and raise your both arms up above the head, bend the head, arms and upper trunk slightly backward, look up  
  3. Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend)-  Exhale and bend forward from the hips ,  touch the floor with your fingers or palms and   bring the forehead as close to the knees as is comfortable . Do not strain, keep the knees straight  
  4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)-  Place your palms on the floor beside the feet, keep the arms straight,  inhale and bring your left leg back, drop your left knee on the floor and bend your right knee . In the final posture, the left foot, both hands, left knee and toes support the body and the back is slightly arched and the head faces forward, look upwards  
  5. Dandasana (Stick pose)-   Hold your  breath and bring your right leg back then  straighten your hands and knees . Align your body in such a way that it  forms a straight line from the top of your head to your heels. Look at a fixed point in front . 
  6. Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute with eight parts)- Exhale and from Plank Pose lower your knees, chest and chin on the floor; the feet will come up on to the toes. In the final position only the toes, knees, chest, hands and chin should touch the floor .The buttocks, chips and abdomen should be raised.
  7. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) – Inhale, keep your hands beside your chest . Slide the chest forward and raise fthe head, the shoulders, then, straightening the elbows . Arch the back into the Cobra Pose and lower the hips and buttocks to the floor . Bend the head back and look upward .  
  8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose)-   Hold the breath, raise your hips up and lower the head between the arms so that the back and legs form two sides of a triangle . Keep the knees and hands straight ,  push the heels and head towards the floor .
  9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose) – Hold the breath and  bring your left leg forward . Place your palms on the floor beside the left foot and  keep the arms straight . Drop your right knee on the floor and bend your left knee . The back is slightly arched and the head faces forward, look upwards .
  10. Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend)- Exhale and from Half Cobra Pose bring your right leg forward , bend forward from the hips . Touch the floor with your fingers or palms and bring the forehead as close to the knees as is comfortable .Do not strain, keep the knees straight .
  11. Hastauttanasana (Raised arms pose)-  Inhale and raise your both arms up above the head, bend the head, arms and upper trunk slightly backward, look up .
  12. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)- Exhale and return to Tadasana , remain in the same posture for a few seconds , feel the energy movement and start the next round .

Precautions – Do not perform yoga asanas under following conditions 

  • High fever
  • Cough and cold 
  • Coronary artery disease 
  • Hernia 
  • Slip disc 
  • Sciatica 
  • During Menstrual cycle

Start with 5  rounds of Surya Namaskara in the beginning and increase one round every week , this way you can go upto 50 rounds of surya namaskara over a period of time . People who are not able to perform difficult asanas can do Surya Namaskara everyday and get the benefit out of it . 

So what are you waiting for …Start Today ! 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,