Day 31
Surya Namaskara
Surya - Sun
Namaskar - Salutation or Greeting
Many different schools and teachers of yoga recommend practicing Surya Namaskar for mental, physical, and spiritual fitness. It is traditionally practiced with the rising sun, facing east. Below you will find a few different ways to experience the salutes. Which way is the right way? Ganesha knows, but I don’t!
To help to treat my depression, I was asked by my teacher to do at least 3 Surya Namaskara’s a day. Another teacher recommended at least 12 a day. I practice it as thanksgiving for the sun, and also as a way to generate energy (heat and light).
Indra Devi says of the Sun-greeting exercise:
“A grown person who has learned to perform the Surya Namaskar may do about 25 rounds daily to being in with. The number of round may then be gradually increased-some people get up to as many as 300 rounds a day. After the age of 65 or 70, however, it is wise to adjust the number of repetitions to the body’s capacity.”
In my studies with Srivatsa Ramaswami we often do 108 rounds on Sundays...
Contrary to the popular belief of contemporary yogis, Surya namaskar can perhaps be traced back to the epic Ramayana where the hero Sri Rama, during his 14-year-old exile, wandered to the hermitage of the sage Agastya with wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, the sage became his father-figure and source of guidance. Rama struggled with depression and despair and wearied from shooting arrows in vain at the demon king Ravana. To help, Sage Agastya chanted a mantra/prayer to the sun god, Surya. Some believe that the Sage taught Rama the Surya Namaskar moments and it that it gave him immense power of the sun to get ensure his victory over the demon.
And since we discussed Hanuman last week I wanted to share one more belief about the origin of the Sun Salutation, via Carla Wainwright:
Another mythology surrounding Surya Namaskar and the monkey warrior god Hanuman (from the Ramayana. Often the myths and the corresponding feelings and images they evoke create a much deeper resonance with the practice. This story certainly did that for me.
Hanuman was born with supernatural powers, which included a voracious appetite as a child. Being constantly hungry, he was always searching for food. One day when his mother was out, he looked up at the sun, Surya, and mistook it for a ripe, juicy mango. Taking an incredible leap into the sky, Hanuman grabbed the sun and started to eat it. But in that moment, the earth became covered in darkness – which caused all the other deities to become concerned. He was asked to release Surya, but he stubbornly refused. Only after having his jaw broken, was the sun released back into the sky.
As Hanuman grew, his mother decided that he needed an education. His mother approached Surya asking if he would tutor her child. The sun refused, remembering the past transgression, but also saying that it was impossible for him to teach the boy as he was constantly on the move. Hanuman insisted that he would be able to keep up with Surya and so the sun agreed faithfully shared all his wisdom with Hanuman. In gratitude, Hanuman offered to pay Surya his ‘guru dakshina’ which is the customary offering to the teacher. However, Surya refused. So Hanuman decided to honour his guru through the practice of Surya Namaskar – imitating his movements across the sky each and every day.
Today Surya Namaskar is practiced in many variations. Traditionally mantras accompany each of the 12 positions, with each mantra honouring the 12 zodiac signs in Hindu astrology and the 12 sound syllables containing the Shakti (energy) represented by the sun. Below is an image of the positions as well as the mantras. Perhaps this June 21st, the Summer Solstice, take some time to slowly move through each of the poses repeating the mantra and visualizing the sun shining its eternal light upon you. Even better, practice outside. A beautiful way to pay homage to the life force of the sun and to feel its Shakti energy within you. Enjoy!
Missed this morning’s Sunday Session with Peter Elmas? Click the link below to watch the replay, valid until midnight PST, Monday.
THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE
Today, Sunday January 31st
8-9:30am PST Sunday Session: Pranayama with Peter Elmas
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Sarah Manwaring
12-1:15pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
6-7:15pm PST Active Yin with Risto Duggan
Tomorrow, Monday February 1st
7:45-8:30am PST Power Flow with Amy Chalmers
9-10am PST Vinyasa with Gicelle Magloire-Mayers
6-7:15pm PST Slow Flow + Restore with Ariffa Lalani