Surya Namaskar, also known as Sun Salutation, is a sequence of yoga postures that flow together. Here are the basic steps for performing Surya Namaskar:
- Pranamasana (Prayer Pose):
- Stand at the front of your mat with your feet together.
- Relax your shoulders and expand your chest.
- Bring your palms together in front of your chest in a prayer position.
- Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose):
- Inhale deeply.
- Lift your arms up and arch your back, stretching the whole body.
- Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot Pose):
- Exhale as you bend forward from the waist.
- Keep your spine straight and try to touch the floor with your palms. If you can’t reach, bend your knees slightly.
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose):
- Inhale and step your right leg back.
- Drop your right knee to the floor and push your hips down.
- Arch your back and look up.
- Dandasana (Stick Pose):
- Hold your breath as you bring your left leg back to plank position.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, engage your core muscles.
- Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute with Eight Limbs):
- Exhale slowly as you lower your knees, chest, and chin to the floor, keeping your hips lifted.
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):
- Inhale deeply.
- Slide forward and raise your chest up into Cobra pose.
- Keep your elbows close to your body and shoulders away from your ears.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose):
- Exhale as you lift your hips and tailbone up, forming an inverted V-shape with your body.
- Keep your heels grounded and your head between your arms.
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose):
- Inhale deeply.
- Step your right foot forward between your hands, dropping your left knee to the floor.
- Arch your back and look up.
- Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot Pose):
- Exhale and bring your left foot forward to meet your right foot.
- Keep your palms on the floor, straighten your legs as much as possible.
- Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose):
- Inhale as you slowly roll up, raising your arms above your head and arching your back.
- Pranamasana (Prayer Pose):
- Exhale and return to the standing position, bringing your palms together in front of your chest