Surya Namaskar A and B
History
Sun Salutation, also called Surya Namaskar or Salute to the Sun (Sanskrit: सूर्यनमस्कार, romanized: Sūryanamaskāra). This set sequence of postures dates back to a long time ago when ancient cultures revered the sun. Salutations are believed to have been regarded as a literal salute to sunrise and were perceived to ready the body for all that would happen during daylight.
Since ancient times, human beings have employed symbols for the ultimate teacher. One of the most enduring symbols is Surya, the sun. The beautiful Vedic prayer known as the Gayatri Mantra addresses the sun as “the one who illuminates our minds.”
Hanuman, the great monkey hero of the Ramayana, was fascinated with Surya almost from birth. As a baby he saw the sun in the sky and mistook it for a luscious mango. Pushing off from the earth with his powerful monkey legs and stretching up through his long monkey arms, he leapt and soared to seize the sun—and succeeded. He popped the sun into his mouth and began to eat it, causing the universe to go dark, which of course alerted the gods that something was very wrong. The sun scalded Hanuman’s mouth, but that stubborn monkey held on until Lord Indra hurled his diamond thunderbolt (vajra) straight at Hanuman’s jaw. The god temporarily took away Hanumans powers. As hanuman got older, he has so much respect for Surya that he did all he could to learn under him. surya initially didn’t not forget about the fruit incident and refused to teach him. However, Hanuman followed Surya around and was always facing him, meaning he was always facing backwards to the direction he was going. After a while Surya took him as his student as was impressed by his dedication to learn all the Veda’s in a week. As a leaving gift, Hanuman offered his gratitude and namaskar a to surya so the surya namaskar series was born as Hanuman’s guru dakshina to Surya.
Surya Namaskar A and B Ashtanga Vinaysa:
The Surya Namasksar sequence we practice in Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dynamic flow practices at the beginning of the series to prepare and warm up the body for the sequence. Each postures is combined with a breath moment, inhale or exhale apart from Downward Facing dog where we hold 5 Breaths.
There are so many benefits of doing surya namaskar daily, even doing a few Sun salutation A and B can significant improve your health not only in your body, but it can help to quiet the mind and increase focus.
Benefits include:
•Strengthens muscles and joints.
•Improved complexion.
•Ensures a better functioning digestive system.
•Helps combat insomnia.
•Ensures regular menstrual cycle.
•Spinal cord and abdominal muscles are stretched.
•Energizes the body.
•Improved prana flow through the body.
Surya Namaskar A sequence and postures:
SAMASTHITIH (Equal standing position)
URDHVA UTTANASANA (upward salute/raised hand pose)
UTTANASANA (standing forward fold)
ARDHA UTTANASANA (half standing forward fold)
CHATURANGA DANDASANA (4 limbed staff pose)
URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA (upward facing dog)
ADHO MUKHA SVANSASANA (downward facing dog) 5 breaths
ARDHA UTTANASANA (half standing forward fold)
UTTANASANA (standing forward fold
URDHVA UTTANASANA (upward salute/raised hand pose)
SAMASTHITIH (Equal standing position)
Surya Namaskar B postures:
SAMASTHITIH (Equal standing position)
UTKATASANA (chair pose)
UTTANASANA (standing forward fold)
ARDHA UTTANASANA (half standing forward fold)
CHATURANGA DANDASANA (4 limbs staff pose)
URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA (upward facing dog)
ADHO MUKHA SVANSASANA (downward facing dog)
VIRABHADRASANA (warrior 1)
CHATURANGA DANDASANA (4 limbs staff pose)
URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA (upward facing dog)
ADHO MUKHA SVANSASANA (downward facing dog)
VIRABHADRASANA (warrior 1)
CHATURANGA DANDASANA (4 limbs staff pose)
URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA (upward facing dog)
ADHO MUKHA SVANSASANA (downward facing dog) 5 Breaths
ARDHA UTTANASANA (half standing forward fold)
UTTANASANA (standing forward fold)
UTKATASANA (chair pose)SAMASTHITIH (Equal standing pose)
SAMASTHITIH (Equal standing position)
