Sun Salutations

Dynamics of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)

If you are new to yoga, it is best to start with Surya Namaskar which is known as Sun Salutations in the West. It is all comprehensive and is an effective way to start your day when you are pressed for time. However, it is important that you are in good health and there are no physical anomalies that prevent you from practicing yoga. Most experts suggest learning the yogic asanas from trained yoga practitioners to do them correctly.

Traditionally done at dawn, Surya Namaskar helps to invigorate and calm the body and mind. It helps to increase the awareness of the bandhas (internal bonds) and makes sure that the channeled energy flow is balanced. When you repeat Surya Namaskar, slowly you will feel the inner fire ignite, which will release toxins and impurities.

Surya Namaskar Steps  

If you are embarking on a journey to learn Yoga or just to harmonize the mind and body, you can start with the practice of Surya Namaskar. You will need to stand with feet adjacent to each other and bring your hands together. Take a deep breath and you can start performing the Surya Namaskar.

To start, raise your hands over your head and breathe in. The next step is to bend at your waist such that your head touches your knee. Next is to raise the knees to the pelvic area and then you will be required to lift the back, and look upwards. After this, you are needed to lower down to position as if you are doing a push up. Take care when you are doing this step. The next step is to roll on your toes, lift your back and look up. The next asana is the Adho Mukha Svanasana and take 5 deep and steady breaths. This is considered as a position to rest. When you start again, look forward and take step, lift your head and look up. Your spine should be aligned and lifted. Then the third and second step is to be repeated. After that you can assume the Samasthiti position or the neutral pose.

It has been known that the Urdhva Dhanurasana and other closing procedures such as Sarvangasana allow the body to relax and heal after an intense session. These postures and yogic asana when performed daily help to evolve your state of mind, bringing in peace and evokes a meditative state. The shoulder stand or sarvangasana when performed regularly can heal dysfunction of the thyroid and balances the glands in the body. Your body constantly relaxes as you synchronize and balance your breathing with the different postures of Surya Namaskar.

Main focus of Yoga

Through consciousness yoga will ignite the fire that will burn away negativity and toxins. When that is eliminated, you have ended the root cause of suffering. Getting into a habit of practicing Surya Namaskar is just one of the ways of ensuring that the inner purification process eliminates the negative samskara that lead to misery and pain.