Surya Namaskar – The Ultimate Elixir for Healthy Mind and Body
For centuries, the Sun God has been considered as the ultimate source of life, from India to Ancient Egypt and many other civilizations. It is true that the Sun is the source of light and energy humans need to survive. Which is why Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is one of the best ways to stay healthy and fit while paying tribute to the Sun that is the source of human existence.
Surya Namaskar has always been a huge part of India. In fact, in ancient times it was a part of daily life. It wasn’t a workout back then. It was way of life. Today, the times have changed but Surya Namaskar is still relevant. It can help you stay healthy and fit physically, mentally and spiritually.
If you want to learn yoga the right way and enjoy its benefits, join a health and wellness centre in Patna. You will be learning from a qualified teacher and will do it with discipline.
Here is everything you need to know about Surya Namaskar – the ultimate source of health and fitness:
What is Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is ancient yoga technique and consists of 12 poses. Each pose is meant to pay tribute to the Sun. Doing Surya Namaskar is a way of showing gratitude to Sun, which is an important source of life on Earth. And, it is also a way to stay healthy and strong. It engages your body and mind, which ultimately leads to better health.
You will find many variations of Surya Namaskar as it is a part of many other yoga practices, such as Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. It is perhaps most popular type of yoga asanas. It is recommended that Surya Namaskar should be done in the morning and evening. Morning time is considered as the best time for it as it helps harness the power of life energy of Sun.
The yoga sequence of Surya Namaskar is designed to stimulate muscles, organs, systems and chakras in the body. Body is made of different chakras or energy points, and Sun Salutation can help bring balance in them. Solar Plexus chakra is connected to the Sun and regular practice of Surya Namaskar can help bring balance in it.
Also Read: Here’s why you should incorporate yoga into your daily life!
Surya Namaskar Sequence
Surya Namaskar consist of 12 yoga poses and each one has different role to play. The whole sequence can help you activate the muscles, and organs in the body. Regular practice will help you harness the benefits of the exercise.
Here are the 12 poses of Surya Namaskar:
- Pranamasana
This is a prayer pose where a person stands with joined hands at the chest. This pose is the simplest one, but is important for relaxing and calming the mind and setting intensions for the practice.
- Hastottanasana
This is a pose where the arms are raised above the head with slight backward bend of the upper body. This pose helps improve the stretching ability, relieves back pain and strengthens the spine
- Hasta Padasana
In this pose, you have to bend forward and touch the ground while keeping your legs straight. This pose helps in improving flexibility and strengthen the back, abdominal muscles, and the nervous system.
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana
In this pose, you have to continue with the last pose of Hasta Padasan and stretch the left leg behind, keeping your right knee folded while keeping the hands on the floor. Look up and bend your head backwards. It helps in improving the flexibility of the leg.
- Dandasana
In this pose, you have to stretch both your legs behind, and come into a plant pose. Your body should be in straight line with all your weight put on you arms and feet. This asana will help tone your muscles, strengthen your legs, arms and wrists.
- Ashtanga Namaskar
In this pose, you have to lay down on the floor completely while raising your hips high. This pose will help you strengthen the muscles in your chest and hands. Hold the pose before moving forward.
- Bhujangasana
This is also known as the cobra pose in which you have to raise your upper body above the ground while keeping lower part of the body flat. Look in the upward direction while keeping your elbows tucked to side of your body.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana
This pose is also known as the Downward facing dog pose and is one of the most effective yoga poses. Keep your hands and feet on the ground while raising your hips upwards. It can help relieve stress and improve circulation.
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana
You have to repeat the pose from the step-4 and do it with your right leg this time, keeping the left leg folded and right leg stretched behind.
- Hasta Padasana
This is same as step-3 where you have to bend forward and touch your feet or the ground.
- Hastottanasana
This pose is same as step-2 where you have to raise your arms above your head and bend your body slightly backwards.
- Pranamasana
This is same as the step-1 where you come to the Prayer pose, resting your hands in Namaskar pose close to the chest.
This is the complete sequence of Surya Namaskar.
What are the Benefits of Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar has many benefits. Practicing it regularly, may be every day can help you stay healthy, toned and stress-free. Here are some of the well-known benefits of Sun Salutation:
- Compete Workout
Surya Namaskar affects the whole body. It engages lower and upper body and strengthens core areas like legs, arms, abs, knees and more. Holding the pose for longer time benefit the muscles in particular. It can tone and firm-up the hips and thighs too.
- Improved blood circulation
Surya Namaskar is effective in improving blood circulation as it involves controlled breathing. The continuous inhalation and exhalation ensure optimal blood circulation. While doing the asanas, you will feel the blood flow easily and your body feels more flexible. This is a great way to remove toxins from the body.
- Healthy Weigh Loss
The Sun Salutation exercise is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. It can be done in slow and fast face. Slow paced Surya Namaskar relaxes the body, while fast paced practice provide cardiovascular exercise. It stretches the muscles in legs, thighs and core areas, and it helps in reducing weight from that area. Along with weight loss, Surya Namaskar also tones and firms the muscles.
- Increase Flexibility
Yoga poses are designed to increase flexibility in the body. This helps in improving the fitness level. The poses stretch, and strengthen the different parts of the body. The more you practice the poses, the better your flexibility will become. You can improve your fitness with these 12 poses.
- Helps regulate BP
For people who have high blood pressure and heart issues, Surya Namaskar can help control the BP. All the stretching and movements are good for the heart muscles. The breathing helps too. It can also help regulate blood sugar level in the body.
- It is Good for the Lungs
Yoga includes breathing consciously. The conscious breathing in and breathing out can improve the capacity of the lungs. It also ensures that vital organs in the body get optimal amount of oxygen.
- Mental Fitness
Yoga promotes both physical and mental fitness. It builds strengths and stamina while helping reduce stress and anxiety in the body. It is a complete workout that can benefit you physically, mentally and spiritually.
Health and Wellness Centre in Patna can help you learn Surya Namaskar in the best way so that you can reap the benefits.
The Bottom line
Surya Namaskar is a highly effective exercise that can benefit you physically and mentally. It can help you lose weight, improve flexibility, strength and more. Practicing it regularly can help you in many ways.
Health and Wellness Centre in Patna
If you are looking for the best Health and Wellness Centre in Patna, Mind O Body Yoga is the best place to be. We offer a wide range of yoga classes that includes Surya Namaskar. You will be learning yoga in its truest form with us. Join us and let Yoga change your life.
Write to us at – hello@mindobodyyoga.com or Contact: +91 77599 91037 or +91 6203601569, for more information.