Sun Salutation

 Introduction to Sun Salutation  

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Faith is a question of humility and surrender, and is usually based on the belief

 

that the human body has a remarkable capacity to heal itself.  Diet discipline,

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effective breathing, and posture practice simply awaken this dormant energy.

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Surya Namaskara or sun salutation is a gentle, effective sequence that offers

 

wholesome conditioning as it charges the body, stills the mind, and nourishes

 

the spirit - all in one powerful workout.  Ideally practiced after a cold shower.

 

 

Regular practice helps eliminate toxins and strengthen the immune system by

 

refreshing nerves and muscles, massaging digestive organs, and stimulating the

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endocrine glands.  This practice also enhances memory and increases stamina.

 

 

Such a balance of flexions, extensions, and inversions promotes uniform blood

 

circulation, revitalizes glands and organs, refreshes the brain, and helps re-train

 

neglected muscle groups and ligaments in the upper and lower extremities. 

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Steps 1-12  is half a cycle, and takes 30 seconds.  A full cycle takes one minute. 

 

Since the sun races through 12 vayu fields (or ether zones), 12 rounds at sunrise 

 

facing East, and 12 rounds at sunset facing West, help refresh the whole body.

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Postures 3, 7 improve bodily carriage/ lung function; postures 1, 6 help release 

 

hidden stress between shoulder blades; upward rush of blood in postures 2, 8 

 

refresh brain; posture 4 revives glands/ organs, posture 5 strengthens low back.

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This sequence of 8 asanas (postures) + 4 repeats refreshes nadis (nerve endings),

 

activates chakras (energy centers), revives gland function; engages the bandhas 

 

(breath locks), builds muscle tone; all to the rhythm of soothing inner chants.

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The OM chant is pronounced aum, and combined length is a+u=m.  First sound 

 

originates from lower abdomen, second emanates from thoracic region, while

 

final sound reverberates in skull region, thus completing the arc of introspection.

 

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The repetitive nature of such silent chants helps clear the mind of negative debris.

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Although yoga has been acknowledged as proven alternative therapy for most

 

ailments, each one of us must take responsibility for our own healing process.