What is Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation
Since the beginning of time, people have revered the Sun by genuflecting before it and praying to it. This is because the Sun is essential to everything we consume, including beverages, foods, and even the activities we enjoy in our spare time. Therefore, the practice of Surya namaskar is a one-of-a-kind asana that offers participants the chance to express their thanks to the Sun.
Surya Namaskar comprises 12 yoga poses, all of which must be carried out on an empty stomach. You can make small changes to your form when doing this asana. Still, you must do the steps correctly to get the full benefits of the Surya Namaskar yoga sequence. The twelve positions provide a full-body and spiritual workout. The practice sequence calms the body and mind by working the muscles, organs, and chakra system. Science has shown that the Sun has healing powers and that Surya Namaskar is good for your health.
Benefits of Surya Namaskar
i) Enhances blood circulation: The Surya Namaskar sequence depends on a series of quick breaths to keep the blood full of oxygen and the lungs open. Having a healthy flow of fresh blood throughout the body makes it much easier for the body to get rid of waste and carbon dioxide.
ii) Improves digestion: Surya Namaskar makes the digestive organs work better by sending more blood to the stomach and the surrounding area. In addition, your ability to bend forward helps to increase the space in your belly, making it easier for your body to expel gases that have become trapped there.
iii) Weight loss: Surya Namaskar burns 13.90 calories every set. Thus, five sets of 12 would burn 416 calories. It is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise; if you practice it rapidly, you will find it easier to lose weight.
iv) Maintains a healthy lower body: The first and last position of Surya Namaskar is Pranamasana, also known as “Petition Present.” This asana helps to strengthen the lower body. As a result, the reinforcement of the legs, lower legs, and feet is completed effectively.
v) Helps with insomnia: Surya Namaskar enhances one’s sleeping routine. During Surya Namaskar, different asanas ease tension, calm the mind and relax the body. This, in turn, promotes a restful night’s sleep.
vi) Lessens anxiety and stress: While doing Surya Namaskar, the different asanas help the endocrine glands work better, increasing blood flow. By decreasing cortisol levels, tension and anxiety are alleviated. It also increases concentration and focus by reducing anxiety.
vii) Helps with Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: Surya Namaskar is a natural way to treat high blood pressure. It helps correct irregular heartbeats by strengthening the heart’s muscles. Additionally, it improves pancreatic functions and helps with insulin production, which helps control diabetes.
viii) Reduced Effects of Aging: Surya Namaskar helps your blood flow, giving your face its glow back and preventing wrinkles. This makes your skin look younger and healthier. In addition, it improves blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. When blood flow improves, more nutrients get to the scalp, hair loss slows down and graying stops.
ix) Strengthens muscles and joints: Doing Surya Namaskar is a fantastic technique to increase flexibility and strength in your muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. These developments make your spine more flexible.
x) Helps with PCOS: PCOS affects most women today and is also linked to uterine (endometrial) cancer, but it is also linked to ovarian and breast cancer to a lesser extent. Surya Namaskar has many benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, making periods more regular, and making you feel less hungry. In addition, according to studies, Surya Namaskar decreases the stress hormones, which are generally responsible for PCOS.
The benefits of Surya Namaskar listed here are partial. There are plenty more benefits—physical, mental, and spiritual. To understand the science behind it and to understand the proper poses and perfect sequences, join us between the 15th and 28th of January by visiting us at https://aaymonline.org/sun-salutations/ and registering for the workshop. Learn from expert yoga trainers and world-renowned doctors how to do Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, in our daily online sessions.
