In African (Kemetic) yoga, it’s called Journey of Ra, in Sanskrit, it is Surya Namaskar. We call them sun salutations. We have #Sun salutation A, #Sunsalutation B and we also have various types of #moonsalutations. The sun is thought of as that active, awakening, vibrant. Its energy powers and facilitates growth, and provides light. That is the purpose of #sunsalutes. In my experience, #sunsalutations are about embodying the energy of the sun on and off the mat. The poses wake, open, and power me up for what is to come.
There are many variations or modifications to a sun salutation. Alignment (form) is important because #safetyfirst and then getting creative with it. Every body is different so to some extent, the poses will look different on different bodies. When I first started practicing yoga, I wasn’t a big fan of the #sunsalutes. I was comparing myself to others and wanted to compete to have the most beautiful looking pose. I started hating them because I wasn’t doing them with the my honest intention. It took consistency in practice, time, discipline and self acceptance to get to where I can do them without having a bunch of stories connected to them and actually start to enjoy and commit to the practice.
So why do 108 sun salutations specifically? The number 108 has a lot of significance in #Science, #Hinduism #Literature #Martial arts. My favorite one is its significance in #astronomy. “The distance of Earth from the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Sun (specifically 107.51). The distance between the Earth and the Moon is also about 108 times the diameter of the Moon. ” At worst a convenient coincidence. At best, a reason to feel connected to the universe. In my practice, the #108SunSalutations are a way for me to be present, a moving meditation. On and off the mat, there is an awareness and beautiful simplicity in the movement and poses of the #sunsalutation.
There are many opinions on yoga and its practices. For some, it is a purely physical practice, and that is good. For some, it is a healing practice, and that is good. For some, it is a spiritual practice, and that is good. For some, it is a combination of all the above and more. It is a tool, a journey, a practice. The extent to which it contributes to your life is a matter of taking on the practice personally and see what happens.
See you when I see you!
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