Surya Namaskar
New Year’s Eve is a time most of us look forward to putting the old year behind us and starting with a fresh slate in the New Year. I personally believe that how we ring in the New Year also has bearing on what the year will bring us. For Yogis, what could be better than ringing in 2016 with a healthier & a mindful approach?
Surya Namaskar is always a wonderful way to welcome the new season. We celebrated the New Year dawning with 108 Surya Namaskar!
What is Surya Namaskar?
“The notion of a Namaskar to the sun is to pay your respects and surrender to the universe. This can be taken as a metaphor to let go physically – the mind follows as you move ‘inside’ the practice.”
It is often said that Surya Namaskar contains the entire practice within it. But what does that mean? If you examine which postures make up the sun Namaskar, you get a wide range of movements: forward bend, back bend, being still, lengthening the spine, grounding the feet, strengthening the upper body, stretching the hamstrings, expanding the lungs and more. That is why Surya Namaskar is the ideal way to warm the body at the beginning of a yoga practice. Even if you do not intend to practice yoga, the Surya Namaskar is a great way to start the day, as it also works on the mind. By hearing the breath, holding the gaze (dristi), these movements allow us to center ourselves and to quiet our wandering mind.
Doing the Surya Namaskar regularly will transform your yoga practice, your outlook on life and yourself.
Why do 108 Sun Namaskar?
The Surya Namaskars are usually accompanied by chanting (see below). There are many reasons for the Hindu and Buddhist belief in the sacredness of the number 108. Originally there were 54 sounds in the Sanskrit alphabet. Double 54 and you get 108, which is also the number of beads in the mala (meditation prayer beads). There are 108 Upanishads, the sacred Vedic texts. 108 is also 9 times 12, two propitious numbers in Indian culture.
Chant to accompany Surya Namaskar
Om Suryaaya Namah – Namaskar to Surya, the dispeller of darkness
Om Savitre Namah – Namaskar to Savita (Savitri) the impeller
Om Mitraaya Namah – Namaskar to Mitra, the bestower of universal friendship
Om Marichaye Namah – Namaskar to Marichi, the light
Om Bhaaskaraaya Namah – Namaskar to Bhaskara, the cosmic brilliance
Om Bhaanave Namah – Namaskar to Bhaanu, the shining principle
Om Aadityaya Namah – Namaskar to Aaditya (an aspect of Vishnu)
Om Pushne Namah – Namaskar to Pushan, the mystic fire
Om Ravaye Namah – Namaskar to Ravi, the bestower of radiance
Om Khagaaya Namah – Namaskar to Khaga, the all-pervading
Om Arkaaya Namah – Namaskar to Arka, the remover of afflictions
Om Hiranyagarbhaaya Namah – Namaskar to Hiranyagarbha, the golden colored one (who brings healing)
