Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

Sun generates heat and light necessary to sustain life, with out sun, there is no life or world for a single minute. By knowing this the ancient people worshipped sun as god Most of the ancient civilizations developed religions which are based on sun worship. it was identified as different deities. As Mithras by Persians, Osiris as in Egypt, Baal as in Chaldeans, Apollo as in Greek, Surya as in Nepal.

Even though god is one, its worship in different forms in Nepal.. Out of them sun is one form of god. Sun is worship as Lord since time immemorial in Nepal..Different form of gods has some special method of worship to please them easily. Lord shiva by Abhishek (Holy water bath), Lord Vishnu by Alankar (Decoration)

Same way the to please the Sun the best way of worship is Salutation.. So sun salutation is not only part of yoga, it’s a part of Nepalese culture

In olden days the daily life starts with saluting to the sun,. Traditionally sun salutation was doing with mantras.. There are 12 mantras are there in sun salutation. if one practice sun salutation with these mantras during the time of sunrise, there is no diseases for the follower, its an ancient belief and effective till present day. 

Other than religious belief if one follows the sun salutation as a part of daily routine as part of healthy life, surely he will get good health.

There are different types of sun salutations following in the world, some of them are 17 step sun salutation also called as Yogic surya namaskar, 9 step sun salutation called as Vedic sun salutation, etc. The most common one is 12 step sun salutation

Benefits:

During busy restless present day’s material world, it’s harder to get time for exercises, So Surya namaskar is a panacea for who lives in cities, who find insufficient time and opportunity to take adequate exercises.

Surya namskar exercises the whole body, its an combination of 12 asanas so it’s an integral exercise that influence the health of whole body. This is the only exercise in which ones whole body get exercise in short period of time.

The digestive, system, eliminatory system, endocrine system, like this every system of the body get affected by regular practise of sun salutation.

It improves, digestion, inducing good sleep, giving good relaxation for the mind. So for total health very effective

Sun salutation is beyond religion, so for getting good health anyone can practise this.

Number of rounds :

The number of rounds depends on the health of the individual and as well as time available. but beginners starts with 3-4 rounds and adding 1-2 rounds each two successive days..In general if one practise 12 rounds its better.

Limitations:

Should not try to learn sun salutation with seeing books, or pictures, It has to learn under the guidance of teacher only. Even tough its looking easier, but if one do with wrong there is no use, so always better to learn under a teacher.

Do not attempt surya namskar when you are ill.

People with high blood pressure, sciatica, Heart problems should not do surya namaskar. So better to discuss about health condition with teacher before starting learning

Its important to relaxing after completion of practice.