Surya Namaskar
Surya is the Sanskrit word for Sun, and Namaskar is theSanskrit word for bowing or greeting. As a consequence, Surya Namaskar is alsoknown as Sun Salutation in English. Each of the 12 postures is followed by amantra or chant in conventional forms of the asana. The 12 zodiac signs arerepresented by the mantras, which provide energy to the body.
The roots of Surya Namaskar are riddled withinconsistencies. Some believe it originated 2500 years ago during the Vedicperiod, when it was performed as a ritual that included prostrating toward therising sun, chanting mantras, and offering rice and water.
Surya Namaskar postures improve muscle endurance while alsoengaging various parts of the body. As a result, the body is prepared toperform more demanding and powerful asanas. Sun Salutation will also assist youin acquiring spiritual insight and wisdom. It relaxes the mind and encouragesone to think more clearly.
Surya Namaskar has undergone many changes over the years,and as a result, there are many variations today. Tadasana (Mountain Pose),Urdhva Hastasana (Raised Hands Pose), Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend),Uttanasana with head raised, Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose),Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose), Chaturanga Dandasana(Four-Limbed Staff Pose). In the above series, you can make a shift. You mayalso do Navasana (Boat Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), andMarichyasana (Sage Pose) in addition to these.
Best Time toPractice Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
Early in the morning is the best time to perform SuryaNamaskar. However, if you are short of time, you can do it later in theevening. However, make sure your stomach is empty before beginning your yogaroutine.
Practicing Sun Salutation first thing in the morning willrevitalize the body and mind. It makes you more engaged while still preparingyour body to take on daily tasks with zeal. Another advantage of doing thisyoga series first thing in the morning is that the ultraviolet rays are not aspowerful. As a result, your skin will not be overexposed to the sun, and youwill be able to fully reap the benefitsof surya namaskar.
If you're a beginner who wants to do Surya Namaskar in themorning, you should begin by practising it in the evening. The explanation forthis is that our joints are more relaxed and our body muscles are more engagedin the evening, making it easier to perform different poses. It is possible tosuffer serious consequences if you perform Sun Salutation with a stiff body.You can start your yoga routine in the morning once you've mastered all 12steps.
When performed outside, this yoga sequence will allow you todevelop a strong bond with the natural world. You can even do it indoors, butmake sure the space is well ventilated.
What Does ScientificResearch Say About Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)?
All of us lead frantic lives. As a result, depression,stress, and other mental illnesses torment us. Surya Namaskar is a yogatechnique that relieves certain problems while also calming the mind.
Surya Namaskar has been shown to improve emotionalintelligence and psychological well-being, according to an article published inthe International Journal of Yoga and Allied Sciences. The researchers selected30 students between the ages of 18 and 24 for their analysis. After theexperiment was completed, it was discovered that practising Sun Salutation hada beneficial effect on their psychological outlook and enhanced theirconcentration skills.
There are already debates about including Sun Salutation inschool curricula. A group of 64 students participated in a study called"Effects of Surya Namaskar on Sustained Attention in SchoolChildren." They found that after a month of practising this yoga series,the children's attention spans had greatly improved.
Another research looked at the impactof Surya Namaskar on children's cardiovascular and respiratory systems,finding that daily practise of the yoga technique decreased children's heartrate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
Every part of your body is stretched and enabled duringSurya Namaskar. Sun Salutation has been shown to improve muscle strength andendurance, according to a report. Its daily activity, regardless of whether youare a man or a woman, aids in the development of a solid upper body. It alsoincreases the strength of your lower body muscles and your back muscles.
According to the same study, practising Surya Namaskar leadsto a major reduction in female body weight, but not so much in males. Obesityhas become a significant problem in today's world. Many women use a number ofstrategies to lose weight, including supplements, gym workouts, and strictdiets.
Despite the fact that this yoga series has been around fordecades, the scientific community has only recently begun to pay attention toit. As a result, several experiments have been completed successfully. Thecurrent data, however, is inadequate. More research is required to fullycomprehend, appreciate, and exploit the full potential of Surya Namaskar. Wehope that the information given above, as well as the research articles, willput your mind at ease and encourage you to confidently practise Sun Salutation.
