Sun Salutations – What’s all the fuss?

Whether you are a seasoned yoga student, a beginner or perhaps just very curious about this ‘yoga thing’, you have likely heard of the term Sun Salutations, also known in Sanskrit as Surya Namaskara.

I remember one of my first yoga teachers telling me, if the only practice I did each day was Sun Salutations; I would change my life. Needless to say, I became very curious. So…what is all the fuss about Sun Salutations? Well… I am fortunate enough to have them part of my daily practice. As an Ashtanga yoga student, Sun Salutations are practiced at the beginning of every series.

Sun Salutations are how I greet the new day; they ground me, connect me to my breath, gently wake up my body and mind, allow me to tune in to the present, help me to turn my attention inwards and, they set the tone for my practice and my day.

So while my daily practice includes many more asanas, I relish the time I spend on my mat moving through the Sun Salutations.

There are many different styles of yoga that practice Sun Salutations and there are also many different variations – some of which you may practised.

Essentially, sun salutations are a series of asanas (postures) performed in a continuous flow using the breath to connect one movement to the next.  Within the Ashtanga yoga tradition we practice two variations of Sun Salutations, simply referred to as Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B. We complete five rounds of Sun Salutation A and 3-5 rounds of Sun Salutation B. The movements can be modified and are accessible to students of all levels. Whilst the movements of the Sun Salutations appear reasonably basic, I will let you in on a little secret… they hold the key to unlocking every posture within the Ashtanga yoga method.

When completed with awareness, Sun Salutations will help build strength and flexibility – both on and off the mat. Completing a series of Sun Salutations stimulates the cardiovascular system, warms up our muscles and joints, begins to shift our awareness inwards and lights up the internal fire of purification to cleanse our body and mind. 

Traditionally, it is recommended Sun Salutations are practiced whilst facing East, either before sunrise or as close to sunrise as possible. While Surya in Sanskrit generally means sun, it is also considered a God as it is the provider of light, warmth and health. Every Sun Salutation gives thanks and acknowledgement to the solar cycle that gives life to the earth and all of its inhabitants. On another level, every Sun Salutation is a prayer for the practitioner to develop the glow of inner awareness, health and vitality.

There you have it – Sun Salutations are a wonderful way to start your practice and your day. They will set the tone for your day and allow you to move through your day with more awareness, gratitude, grace and ease.

Sun Salutations – the way I start my practice and beautiful day x

I’d like to acknowledge the resources completed by Kino MacGregor, David Keil, John Scott and Matthew Sweeny which supported the content for this post.