the magic of surya namaskar
Surya Namaskar is one of the paramount and most common asana in yoga. It is even said that, if one just does this asana perfectly, then that is quite enough. This is so, because, this asana in itself is a combination of 12 asanas. This means, just through this one asana, practitioners end up doing 12 asanas. In this article, we will learn how Surya Namaskar is done, and also its benefits.
How To Do
Surya Namaskar is comprised of the following steps:
Step 1- Pranamasana (Prayer Pose):
Position yourself at the edge of your mat, feet together, and palms in front of your chest in a prayer position.
Take a deep breath in and out.
Step 2- Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose):
Inhale and lift your arms up and back, arching your back and looking up.
Step 3- Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot Pose):
Exhale and bend forward from the waist, keeping your spine erect. Touch the floor with your hands beside your feet.
Step 4- Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose):
Inhale and take your right leg back, placing the knee on the floor. Keep the left foot between the hands and look up.
Step 5- Dandasana (Stick Pose):
Retain your breath and take your left leg back, bringing the body into a straight line like a plank.
Step 6- Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute with Eight Limbs):
Exhale and lower your knees, chest, and forehead to the floor, keeping your hips up and toes curled under.
Step 7- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):
Inhale and slide forward, raising the chest up into the Cobra pose. Keep your elbows bent and shoulders away from the ears.
Step 8 -Parvatasana (Mountain Pose):
Exhale and lift your hips up and back, forming an inverted V shape with your body. Keep your heels on the floor.
Step 9 -Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose):
Inhale and step your right foot forward between your hands, left knee on the floor. Look up.
Step 10- Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot Pose):
Exhale and bring your left foot forward, keeping palms on the floor. You can bend your knees if needed.
Step 11- Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose):
Inhale and rise up, lifting your arms back and arching your back.
Step 12- Pranamasana (Prayer Pose):
Exhale and come back to the prayer position, standing at the edge of your mat.
Repeat the sequence, starting with the left leg in step 4, to complete one full round. Start with 2-3 rounds and gradually increase as you become more comfortable with the sequence. (Read: How To Think Positive As Per Bhagavad Gita)
Benefits
Surya Namaskar, is known for its benefits. Be it physical, psychological, or spiritual, Surya Namaskar is beneficial for all. Below are some of its many benefits:
- Flexibility And Strength: This asana, with its 12 poses helps with overall flexibility and strength.
- Improved Digestion: The way this asana twists our body and bends it, helps with str4onger digestion.
- Weight Loss: Yes, this is an intense workout and aids weight loss as it burns calories,
- Stress Reduction And Better Sleep: The controlled breathing and mindful movements reduces stress, and improves sleep quality.
- Mental Clarity: Surya Namaskar helps with mental clarity, concentration and overall mental clarity.
- Spiritual Significance: Surya Namaskar, also helps with spiritual growth by getting the body’s geometry in sync with the larger geometry of creation. (Read: Bhramari Pranayama)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that Surya Namaskar is not a mere physical workout. Rather it has a significant impact psychologically, and most importantly, spiritually. With daily practice, practitioners will not only find their body’s getting flexible, but also they will become flexible from within.
We hope that you liked our article on Surya Namaskar. Thank you for reading. (Read: Science Of Ego Death)
FAQs
What is the benefit of Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar offers a lot of benefits, both physical and mental. It improves elasticity and power, improves digestion, aids in weight loss, fights stress, promotes better sleep, and enhances mental clarity and concentration. Furthermore, it is said to have spiritual significance, aligning the body’s geometry with the larger geometry of creation.
What will happen if I do 30 Surya Namaskar daily?
Doing 30 rounds of Surya Namaskar daily can have significant effects on your body and mind. It can enhance your overall fitness level, improve muscle tone and flexibility, boost metabolism, and aid in weight loss. However, it’s important to listen to your body and not overdo it, especially if you’re new to the practice. Starting with a lower number of rounds and gradually increasing as you become more comfortable is advisable.
How many rounds of Surya Namaskar should be done?
The number of rounds of Surya Namaskar one should do depends on individual fitness levels and goals. Beginners may start with 2-3 rounds and gradually increase to 12 rounds or more as they become more proficient. It’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. Consulting a yoga instructor for personalized guidance is also recommended.
What is Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar, also known as sun salutation, is a sequence of 12 yoga poses performed in a flowing sequence. It is a holistic exercise that combines physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and mindfulness. Surya Namaskar is a complete workout for the body and mind, offering numerous health benefits and promoting overall well-being.
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