Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) was refined and popularized by Bhavanarao Pant Pratinidhi in the 1920s. It made its way into yoga in the mid 1930s. For the decade prior it had developed into an increasingly popular form of exercise that supposedly stretched and strengthened every muscle and joint in the body - a perfect exercise. They were done always in movement, synchronized with the breath, never held in static asana style.
They also say that this sequence is at least 2,500 years old (perhaps even several hundred years older), that it originated during Vedic times as a ritual prostration to the dawn, replete with mantras, offerings of flowers and rice, and libations of water.
Surya Namaskar began to blund together with yoga asana practice, especially in Mysore where Krishnamacharya was teaching. It is an ancient technique of paying respects to the sun. Constituting of 12 different postures, it is a form of expressing gratitude to this source of all life on earth.
It is essential to understand the science behind this ancient technique. Ancient Indian sages have said different energies govern different parts of the body. For instance, the solar plexus that is located behind the navel is connected to the Sun. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar enhances the size of the solar plexus. This, in turn, increases your creativity, intuitive abilities, decision-making, and confidence.
Surya Namaskar helps to tone up body, improve flexibility, improves body posture, improves skin complexion, strengthen muscles, and fight depression as well as a nip in your waistline. This can be practiced at any time of the day. However, it is best to do it at sunrise. This is when the sun rays help revitalize the body and refresh the mind. This also has benefits of doing in other time as well.
Surya Namaskar can be practiced at any speed variation and each pace has its own benefit. For instance, in slow pace, this will help body more flexible. In medium space, this will help in toning muscles. And in fast pace, this will work as cardio workout and aids weight loss. In Modern era, Surya Namaskar is been used as a part of Power yoga.
Now let’s understand what the benefits of Surya Namaskar are.
Though Surya Namaskar has comes with innumerable benefits but here are the most important benefits.
- All the postures are a right blend of warm-ups and asanas
- The Surya Namaskar is a comprehensive workout that benefits the entire body. The diverse 12 postures stretch, strengthen, and boost fitness levels of the body.
- The active inhalation and exhalation process throughout the Sun salutation series keeps the blood oxygenated and lungs ventilated. The optimal flow of fresh blood in the body is a great way to detox the body making it free from toxic elements and carbon dioxide.
- When the Surya Namaskar Series is practiced regularly and at a fast pace, it stretches the abdominal muscles assisting you in reducing weight around the stomach area. The asanas tone the abs and strengthen the musculoskeletal system.
- It stimulates abdominal muscles, respiratory system, lymphatic system, spinal nerves and other internal organs
- In the prayer pose, the hands are joined together in front of the heart centre. According to Yogic traditions, this mudra activates the heart chakra and encourages the lotus heart to open up with awareness
- It regulates the interconnectedness of body, breath, and mind, thus making you calmer and boosting the energy levels with sharpened awareness psychologically.
- Along with asanas, the breathing pattern is also an important aspect of Surya Namaskar. This gives a deep conscious relaxation to the body and mind. It helps to relax the mind and sharpen the intellect. It increases the self-awareness. The relaxed mind and healthier body then result in improved energy levels.
- Enables Better Absorption of Nutrients. Proper blood circulation and digestion enables a better absorption of nutrients, which in turn improves your overall health. Nutrient absorption helps to regulate hormones, carry out vital functions in the body.
- It improves skin glow as most of Postures from Surya Namaskar helps to get glowing skin.
Precautions:
- If you are new to Yoga, it’s mandatory to start at a slow pace
- Listen to Instructor as thetrainer will always instruct to be very slow with the body movements and maintain the breathing activities
About The Author
Sital Tripathy is a certified Yoga Instructor in both RYT 200 & RYT 500 hrs. She has also an experience of teaching in different fitness studios across Bangalore.
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