A Sun Salutation, also known as Surya Namaskar, is vital to a yogi’s practice. Essentially it is the cardio of yoga.
Breathing and moving between poses-
Vinyasa.
Sun Salutations is a great way to warm up in the morning and deepen your practice as you flow through the basic stretches. The sequence also provides meditation through movement.
What I love most about Sun Salutations is it allows me to take the flow as slow or quick as I would like. Oh, and it feels so good after laying around all night.
Nothing ever needs to be a race in your own practice.
This is how you do a basic Sun Salutation:
- Inhale as you raise your hands above your head, pressing your palms together and allowing your back to arch slightly.
- Exhale as you allow your hands to drop to the ground to a forward fold.
- Inhale, reach your chest forward and come to a flat back. Maybe your hands slide up your shins if that’s what feels right to you at that moment.
- Exhale as you drop back down to forward fold and plant your hands to the ground. In a fluid motion, inhale and step back into a plank position.
- Exhale as you squeeze your elbows into your sides and lower yourself to the ground. This is referred to as chaturanga.
- Inhale, scoop your chest up to the sky and open the front of your throat ahead of you. If you feel comfortable you can lift your hips to come to an upward dog, or leave your hips resting on the ground for Cobra pose.
- Exhale and drive your tailbone to the ceiling, equally distributing your weight between your hands and feet for Downward Dog. .
- Inhale, bring your gaze forward, step your feet to your hands, and reach your chest forward to come to a flat back.
- Exhale and allow your chest to drop down to forward fold.
- Inhale, put a slight bend in your knees, and begin to raise your arms above your head to press your palms together.
- Repeat.
I promise, adding a couple to your morning routine will improve your circulation and your personal sanity.
Keep the flow going
-Sarah
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