Last week we were paying homage to the sun in our yoga practice. It's spring in my neck of the woods. (Well trying to be at least) We are trying to work through Kapha season, inviting the sun into our being. So we practiced some pranayama that stimulated the sun channel and some warming postures to get the heat going in the body. We practiced several rounds of Surya Namaskar ( Sun salutations) to honor the sun as well as stir the fire up in our being. So if you are new to yoga or you have been through your share of Sun Salutes, here is the practice you can squeeze in before your morning cup of tea or coffee to wake that fire inside!
Beginning from left to right.
Stand at the top of your mat. Take a few deep breaths, offering up a prayer of gratitude to the sun that provides us life and light. Or you can chant the mantra- Om Suryaya Namaha, "Om and salutations to Surya, presiding spirit of the Sun." Then as you move through the postures Inhale as you move into a posture that moves upward and exhale as you move into a posture that moves downward. Follow your own pace. Making this a moving meditation.
1. Tadasana- Mountain Pose (inhale and exhale)
2. Urdhva Hastasana- Upward Salute (inhale)
3. Uttanasana- Forward Fold (exhale)
4. Ardha Uttanasana- Half Forward Fold (inhale)
5. Plank/Chattarunga Dandasana- Four Limbed Staff Pose (exhale)
6. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana- Upward Facing Dog (inhale)
7. Adho Mukha Svanasana- Downward Facing Dog (exhale)
8. Ardha Uttanasana- Half Forward Fold (inhale)
9. Uttanasana- Forward Fold (exhale)
10. Urdhva Hastasana- Upward Salute (inhale)
11. Tadasana- Mountain Pose (exhale)
Practice as many rounds as you would like and feel the sun inside grow!
As you continue reaching for the sun this spring, contemplating these beautiful words:
The Sun Never Says
Even after all this time
the sun never says to the earth
"You owe me."
Look what happens with
a love like that.
It lights the whole sky.
-from The Gift by Hafiz
