Satyananda Yoga Practices
A fresh look at Surya
Namaskara, the Salute to the Sun practice.
Surya Namaskara is heralded as a complete practice in that it contains
asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practice) and meditational
techniques.
Doing this practice daily will have you powering along for a number
of
years. As a physical exercise it stretches, massages, tones and stimulates
all the muscles, vital organs and physical parts by alternatively flexing
the body backwards and forwards. There is also however a spiritual
depth to the practice.
Surya Namaskara is composed of three elements – form, energy and
rhythm. The postures generate prana, subtle energy which activates
the psychic body. The rhythmic superimposition is a transforming
force
on our body/mind complex.
Vital for the completeness is the practice of Shavasana (corpse pose/lying down) and resting. In this the body begins to normalise the heart and breath rate, then via the deeper abdominal breathing the prana generated at the solar plexus can be moved through the body.
The dynamic physical practice is active and
solar, as in the Sun. The rest is the
passive
receptive mode and lunar, as in Moon. Hence Ha (Sun), Tha (Moon),
Hatha Yoga is complete.
To add variety to your practice you can explore different ways of doing
the rounds.
For example hold each pose for 2 or 3 breaths; visualise
the charka point that is being stimulated or introduce the mantra that
goes with each posture.
A CD with the Surya Namaskara mantras is available at our centre. Doing the practice with these mantras would open up a whole new level to your practice. Try it and see.