The 'Sun Salutation' - Holistic Path Towards Human Wellness

General
, , ,
1

Yoga is a practice to unite and enhance physical, mental and spiritual well-being. As viewed by Swami Vivekananda, Yoga is a holistic approach towards betterment of mind and soul by enhancing the physical body. And one such yoga asana that gives a sense of completion is the ‘Surya Namaskar’ or ‘Sun Salutation’. This yoga consists of 12 asanas or yoga poses performed in a particular sequence along with carefully regulated or synchronized breathing patterns. It is a perfect blend of physical body exercise (yoga poses) with controlled breathing cycles (Pranayama).

Following picturized flowchart depicts the 12 yoga poses of Surya Namaskar:

Surya namaskar
Surya namaskar859×695 78.5 KB

image
image773×680 60.7 KB

Surya namaskar
Surya namaskar637×391 42.8 KB

Benefits of Surya Namaskar:

  • Helps in proper blood flow.
  • Tone up the joints and muscles.
  • Stimulates proper functioning of stomach and other abdominal organs.
  • Improves the respiratory system due to enhanced gaseous exchange.
  • Helps in calming the mind by bringing mental balance.
  • Maintains hormones level in balanced state.

Key while performing Surya Namaskar or even any other yoga asana is to focus on a particular point or single breath while doing that asana. Breath regulation plays crucial role in enhancing physical capability of body along with taking mind and soul on an integrated path for overall wellness of life.

Do you practice Surya Namaskar daily or ever before, or any other yoga asana you prefer the most? Also, share your perspective on ‘yoga’ for the overall well-being of human being.

References:

Link 1 Venkatesh LP, Vandhana S. Insights on Surya namaskar from its origin to application towards health. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. 2022 Apr 1;13(2):100530.

Link 2 Surya Namaskar – How to do Sun Salutation with Steps

Link 3 Swami Vivekananda’s Perspectives on Yoga

MBH/AB

3 Likes
2

Yes, I’ve practiced Surya Namaskar before, and it’s one of my favorites for building energy and flexibility. Yoga in general is a great tool for overall well-being, helping with physical strength, mental balance, stress relief, and a deeper connection with yourself. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference.

1 Like
3

Yoga is one of the oldest known practices that preach about balance of the physical and mental self, which is not usually seen in other forms of exercise. Especially, Surya Namaskar helps stretch many of the muscles and helps improve focus.

1 Like
4

Yes, Yoga is very beneficial both for the physical and mental well-being. Surya namaskar is a variant of a practice called Surya kriya, which adds more benefits to our health.

1 Like
5

All the aasnas are important. Yoga as a whole is important for our stressful lives for proper physical and mental well being.