08/10/2021
Surya Namaskar aka Sun Salutations/Salute to the Sun
Sun Salutations are always part of every class I teach and always part of my personal practice (sometimes the entirety of my personal practice), but why?
1. They prepare the body for the practice— I am in love with this sequence of postures, there is no substitute for Sun Salutations when it comes to bringing that initial heat and openness into the body. After a couple of rounds of Surya Namaskar, the body feels open, looser and ready for the Asana practice.
2. Practicing Sun Salutations increases that all important life force energy of prana in the body, which helps remove energy blockages. A few rounds of Sun Salutations can be a great cardiovascular exercise benefiting the entire body. It increases the heart rate and regulates the entire circulatory system. The cardiovascular stimulation can fill the system up with fresh surges of oxygenated blood and eliminate toxins.
3. It's ancient and fascinating! I Many years ago, for the Ancient Yogis; it became an important practice to loosen the limbs in the mornings, increase blood flow, and also as a preparation and warm-up for the other asana practices. The various postures in Surya Namaskar was said to help energize each of the 7 Chakras (energy centres) in the human body.
4. There are so many other benefits, here's just a few:
- Increases blood circulation
- Boosts energy
- Creates more strength, flexibility, and tone to the body
- Opens and releases tension in the hamstrings, shoulders, and the chest
- Release tension in the spine and helps posture by encouraging us to lengthen and stretch
5. It moves the spine in every direction, except for a side bend - and oh that feels good ! ❤