Surya Namaskar: The Sun Salutation

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In Hindu mythology, the sun god is worshipped as a symbol of health and immortal life. The Rig Veda declares that "Surya is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings". The Sun Salutation originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally, it is performed at dawn, facing the rising sun. In time, each of the twelve positions came to have its own mantra, celebrating aspects of the sun's divinity.

The Sun Salutation is a graceful sequence of twelve positions performed as one continuous exercise. Each position counteracts the one before, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing. Practiced daily it will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints and trim your waist. It limbers up the whole body in preperation for the Asanas (postures) as taught by Swami Vishnu-devananda, founder/Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers

Steps:

1. Stand erect with feet together and hands in the prayer position in front of your chest. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed. Exhale.
2. Inhaling, stretch your arms up and arch back from the waist, pushing the hips out, legs straight. Relax your neck.
3. Exhaling, fold forward, and press your palms down, fingertips in line with toes - bend your knees if necessary.
4. Inhaling, bring the left (or right) leg back and place the knee on the floor. Arch back and look up, lifting your chin.
5. Retaining the breath, bring the other leg back and support your weight on hands and toes.
6. Exhaling, lower your knees, then your chest and then your forehead, keeping your hips up and your toes curled under.
7. Inhaling, lower your hips, point your toes and bend back. Keep legs together and shoulders down. Look up and back.
8. Exhaling, curl your toes under, raise your hips and pivot into an inverted "V"shape. Try to push your heels and head down and keep your shoulders back.
9. Inhaling, step forward and place the left (or right) foot between your hands. Rest the other knee on the floor and look up, as in position 4.
10. Exhaling, bring the other leg forward and bend down from the waist, keeping your palms as in position 3.
11. Inhaling, streach your arms forward, then up and back over your head and bend back slowly from the waist, as in position 1.
12. Exhaling, gently come back to an upright position and bring your arms down by your sides.