The Sun Salutation, or Sūryanamaskāra, is a dynamic sequence of postures — a ritual in honour of the rising sun that warms the body, the heart and the soul, and prepares the postural work.
Originally, the Sun Salutation is a ritual, a morning prayer in honour of the rising sun. “Sūrya” (sun) and “Namaskāra” (salutation, prostration) are Sanskrit terms. This dynamic sequence, native to Iran, reached India with the Parsis, who consider the Sun Salutation a religious duty.
The Sun Salutation in Ashtanga Yoga
The famous Mysore salutations, “A” & “B”, were transmitted by Sri Krishnamacharya & Sri Pattabhi Jois. They serve as a transition between postures and as postural preparation: a warming of the muscles, a release of the large joints, a limbering of the spine, all worked with the synchronisation of the breath (Vinyāsa).
Sūrya Namaskāra A: Tadāsana, Uttanāsana A, Uttanāsana B, Chaturaṅga Daṇḍāsana, Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana, Chaturaṅga Daṇḍāsana, Adho Mukha Śvānāsana, Uttanāsana B, Uttanāsana A, Tadāsana, Samasthitiḥ.
Sūrya Namaskāra B: Tadāsana, Utkaṭāsana, Uttanāsana A/B, Chaturaṅga Daṇḍāsana, Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana, Adho Mukha Śvānāsana, Vīrabhadrāsana A (right, then left, with the linking vinyāsa), Uttanāsana B/A, Utkaṭāsana, Samasthitiḥ. There is always a movement on which we inhale, followed by one on which we exhale.
“If the government itself understood its usefulness and made the practice of yogāsana and Sūryanamaskāra compulsory for all students — boys and girls alike — it would help render their lives pure and would be a great service to the world.”
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Yoga Mālā)
Benefits of Sūryanamaskāra
A regular, rhythmic daily practice gradually brings sound health: it softens and strengthens the muscles, activates intestinal regulation by increasing the digestive fire, and purifies and develops the lungs and heart. Sūryanamaskāra also develops willpower, stamina and mental strength — qualities essential to reach the goal of Yoga. It is a meditation in action.
A salutation known to every practitioner
Power Yoga, Vinyāsa Yoga, Vinyāsa Flow and other methods all use the Salutation. It is “the” yoga technique that engages the cardiovascular system, providing heat and considerable energy; André Van Lysebeth taught it early on to raise the heartbeat and warmth. Other traditions have their own forms: Buddhist and Muslim salutations, the Tibetan prostrations (“The Five Tibetans”), the Raja Aundh salutation from the Sivananda lineage, and — less known — the Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskāra) of the Tantric tradition.
