Surya Namaskara
- Excellent way to begin the practice.
- Warms up and awakens the entire body, softening the muscles and opening the joints, thereby opening neurological, circulatory and subtle energetic pathways.
- Awakens the breath and initiates conscious awareness of the connection and synchronization between movement in the breath, body and mind.
- Focuses the mind.
- Emphasize the breath and with it emphasize a sense of expansiveness and presence of mind in the subtle or spiritual heart center. Give ongoing emphasize to openness and softness across the heart center.
Instructional Text and Animated Sequences
Click on the asana names below to view instructional text.
Twelve Postures in Surya Namaskara
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
- Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
- Ardha Uttanasana (Half Standing Forward Bend)
- Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)
- Phalakasana (Plank Pose)
- Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)
- Salabhasana B (Locust or “Easy Cobra”)
- Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
- Utkatasana (Chair or Awkward Pose)
- Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose)
