Without Sun, there will be no life on Earth. Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is a gesture of gratitude to the Sun – which is the reason of all life force on our planet. Surya Namaskar is a set of 12 fixed cyclic movements (asanas), which bring body, breath and mind together – a stepping stone that can help you go deep in meditation.
Surya Namaskar postures act as a nice link between warm-ups and asanas and can be done any time when you have an empty stomach. However, morning is considered to be the best time for Surya Namaskar as it revitalizes the body and refreshes the mind, making us ready to take on all tasks of the day. If done in the afternoon, it energizes the body instantly and if done at dusk, it helps you unwind. When done at a fast pace, Surya Namaskar is an excellent cardiovascular workout and a good way to lose weight.
Why Start the Day With Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar postures are energizing, meditative and relaxing. They also make the body flexible and improve blood circulation. A better blood circulation helps in prevention of hair greying, hair fall and dandruff, and also improves overall hair growth. The vital internal organs also become more functional with better blood circulation. It also benefits our skeletal and digestive system, while balancing body’s tri-doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Why Should Children Do Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar calms the mind and helps improves concentration. Today, children face a cut-throat competition and should adopt Surya Namaskar in their daily schedule as it boosts endurance power and reduces the feeling of anxiety and restlessness, especially during exams. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar gives strength and vitality to the body. For future athletes it is the best workout to strengthen muscles and it also improves flexibility in spine and in limbs. Children as young as 5-year-olds can start doing Surya Namaskar daily.
Why Should Women Do Surya Namaskar?
It is said that Surya Namaskar can do what months of dieting cannot. Hence, it’s a blessing for health-conscious women as it not only helps lose extra calories, but it offers an easy and inexpensive way to be in proper shape by stretching the abdominal muscles naturally. Some of the Sun Salutation poses help lose extra fat on belly by stimulating sluggish glands like the thyroid gland (which has a big effect on our weight) to increase hormonal secretions. Regularly practicing Surya Namaskar can regulate irregular menstrual cycles among women and also ensure an easy childbirth. Last but not the least; it helps in bringing back the glow on your face, preventing onset of wrinkles and making it ageless and radiant.
Develop Your Sixth Sense With Sun Salutations
Our ancient rishis said that different Gods govern different organs of our body. The navel or solar plexus is said to be connected with the sun and that’s the reason why yogis recommend Surya Namaskar practice in the morning when Vitamin D-enriched sunrays fall on the solar plexus. With a regular practice of Surya Namaskar and meditation, the solar plexus increases from the size of an almond to the size of a palm. This expansion of solar plexus, also known as the second brain, develops our intuitive ability and makes us more clear and focussed. The contraction of the solar plexus, on the other hand, leads to depression and other negative tendencies.
The manifold benefits of Surya Namaskar help keep the body healthy and the mind calm. Thus, a regular practice of Surya Namaskar is highly recommended by all yoga experts. These Surya Namaskar tips can also help improve your practice and give better results.
(Courtsey : www.artofliving.org)
