SUN SALUTATION
Sanskrit Name – Surya Namaskar
Sanskrit Name Meaning – Surya – Sun, Namaskar - Salutation
Target Areas – Whole body
WHAT IS SUN SALUTATION (SURYA NAMASKAR)?
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) incorporates a flow sequence of 12 yoga asanas. It was traditionally performed in Ancient India to honour the Sun as it was regarded as the source of life and therefore widely revered. In Hinduism, Surya is the God of the Sun, the creator of the universe, and in Vedic tradition the Sun symbolises Divine Consciousness. As such, Surya Namaskar is considered to be one of the most important yoga practices designed to harness Prana Shakti (Life Energy) first thing in the morning.
DO NOT PRACTICE SUN SALUTATION (SURYA NAMASKAR) IF:
You have a back, hip or leg injury
You have a hernia
BENEFITS OF SUN SALUTATION (SURYA NAMASKAR)
Calms the mind, relieves stress, fatigue and soothes the nervous system
Regulates hormones
Increases strength and flexibility
Enhances mental strength and concentration
HOW TO PRACTICE SUN SALUTATION (SURYA NAMASKAR) THE 12 ASANAS
Start in Prayer Pose (Pranamasana) then lift your arms to Raised Arms Pose (Hasta Uttanasana). Then fold forward into Standing Forward Bend (Hasta Padasana) and move into Lunge Pose (Ashwa Sanchalanasana) and gaze forward.
From here move your front bent leg back into Plank Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana) and then move your body down into Eight Limbed Pose (Ashtanga Namaskar) – your toes, knees, hands, chest and chin should touch the ground. From here slide up into Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana). Lie down and lift up in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana).
Bring your right knee forward into Lunge Pose (Ashwa Sanchalanasana). Bring your left foot forward into Standing Forward Bend (Hasta Padasana). Then move into Raised Arms Pose (Hasta Uttanasana). Come back into Prayer Pose (Pranamasana).
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