sun salutation or surya namaskara

The actual history of Sun Salutation is not well known but has been well-document. However, some traditionalist suggest that the sequence goes back about 2,500 years or even several more hundred years older. It may have originated during Vedic times as a ritual prostration to the dawn, complete with mantras, offering flowers and rice as well as pouring water as a religious offering.

The people of India, historically, practice sun worship and usually the Sun Salutation was performed facing the direction of the sun as it rose in the morning. However, some skeptics believe, which I seriously doubt, that the Sun Salutation may have been invented by the Raja of Aundth in the early 20th century and then spread out to the West in the 1920s and 1930s.

Speaking of rituals, people from around the world will join together this Sunday, September 21, 2008 to create world peace by performing 108 Sun Salutations in unison. The idea behind this event is simple, "Peace begins within, and the goal is to unite the yoga community to create Peace in the world..."

For more information visit www.yoga-for-peace.org This should be an interesting event!

Click picture for more instructions!

Please note the pictures are provided by Barry Stone courtesy of about.com:Yoga [Illustration Step-by-Step Sun Salutation].


1.Tadasana or Salutation
Posture
Stand with both feet together and exhale fully.

2. Urdhva Hastasana or Raised Arm Posture
Inhaling stretch both arms above the head with palms facing upward and arching the back slightly.



3. Padahastasana or Hand to Foot Posture
Exhale as you bend the body forward and down, keeping the spine straight, and knees relaxing without locking them.




4. Ashwa Sanchalasana, Equestrian or Lunge Posture
On the next inhalation, extend your left leg back and drop the knee to the ground. The right knee is bent and is in line with the hands with the right foot flat on the ground. Lift the spine and open the chest.




5. Parvatasana, Downward Facing Dog, or Mountain Posture
Exhaling, bring the right leg back to join the left leg. Simultaneously raising the buttocks and lowering the head between the arms. The body should form a triangle with the floor. Try to place the heels flat on the ground. Take a deep inhalation while maintaining the posture.




6. Ashtanga Namaskara or Salutation with Eight Limbs
Exhaling gently drop both knees to the ground and slowly slide the body down at an angle as you bring the chest and chin to the ground. All eight limbs--toes, knees, chest, hand and chin should touch the floor.




7. Bhujangasana, Upward Facing Dog, or Cobra Posture
On the inhalation, lower the hips while pushing the chest forward and upward with the hands until the spine is fully arched and the head is facing upward. The knees and abdomen should remain on the floor.




8. Back to Downward Facing Dog or Mountain Posture
Exhale and repeat the Downward Facing Dog or Mountain posture.




9. Back to the Lunge or Equestrian Posture
Inhaling swing the right leg foward between the hands returning the the Lunge or Equestrian Posture.




10. Back to Hand to Foot Posture
Exhaling bring the foot forward. Join both legs together returning to the Hand to Foot Posture.


11. Back to Raised Arm Posture
Inhaling raise the trunk up and bend backwards slightly returning to the Raised Arm Posture.


12. Back to Tadasana or Salutation Posture
Straighten the body and bring the hand in front of the chest returning to Tadasan.


You have completed the first half of the Sun Salutation. To complete the next half the right leg is brought back in the Lunge posture and the left foot is brought foward in posture 9. One complete round consists of this exercise done twice.