Add the attitude of gratitude to your Sun Salutation practice with sun salutation mantras.

That's when through Surya Namaskar, you can honor not only the Sun but also the whole
Nature. (Honoring the creation brings in a sense of sacredness to your yoga practice.)I
stand on my yoga mat, getting ready to start my Sun Salutation practice. My hands are
folded in front of my chest, in prayer position. I chant the first mantra for Sun Salutation,
my hands go up and then as I recite the second sun salutation mantra, they come down
and touch the floor, as if bowing to this higher power the Sun. I have a gentle smile on
my face as I carry on with each Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) posture and
coordinate it with a mantra recital. My whole Surya Namaskar practice turns sacred. This
is what mantra chants can do to the Sun Salutation practice, which can otherwise seem
like a physical exercise intended to lose weight or stretch and tone the muscles.

Sure, sounds good, you say. But what are 12 Sun

Salutation mantras?
Mantras refer to a combination of syllables, sounds, or phrases, which can be chanted or
sung. In case of Sun Salutation, they are sung in praise of the Sun. Chanting mantras
extendsSun Salutation benefits; it has subtle yet penetrating effects on both mind and
body. There are 12 mantras which praise different qualities of Sun and add a profound
spiritual touch to the entire practice.

How to chant the Sun Salutation mantras?

The only rule to remember is to chant them with gratefulness. Each sun salutation
mantra has a specific meaning, but it is not important to delve into what each mantra
means.For instance, Om Bhaanve Namaha means 'one who brings light'. When you
recite this mantra, feel a sense of deep gratitude to the Sun for giving us light and
making life possible on Earth. Similarly, addressing the Sun as a friend with the chant,
Om Mitraaya Namaha, where we look at this glowing ball as our friend.

How to include mantras in Surya Namaskar?

You can either chant the sun salutation mantras verbally or in your mind.Now let's see
how you can chant the mantras while doing the Sun Salutation sequence. One set of
Sun Salutation comprises two rounds one with the right leg, one with the other. It is
ideally recommended to practice 12 sets of Sun Salutation daily. But you can choose
your own number, according to what seems comfortable. If you choose to do 6 sets or
more, chant one mantra each at the start of every new sequence. Recite the first mantra
as you start one set, finish the two rounds in that set and then start the next set with the
second mantra and so on. This way, you would have chanted 12 mantras with 12 sets of
Sun Salutation.If you practice less than 12 rounds of Sun Salutation 2 or 4 -you can
recite one mantra each with every posture in the sequence. This would make it 12 Sun
Salutation mantras corresponding to 12 poses of Surya Namaskar.

1
Pranamasana (Prayer pose)
What to chant: Om Mitraaya Namaha
Meaning: Who is friendly to all

2
Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose)
What to chant: Om Ravaye Namaha
Meaning: The shining one, the radiant one

3
Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot pose)
What to chant: Om Suryaya Namaha
Meaning: Who is the dispeller of darkness and responsible for bringing activity

4
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
What to chant: Om Bhaanave Namaha
Meaning: One who illumines, the bright one

5
Dandasana
(Stick pose)
What to chant: Om Khagaya Namaha
Meaning: Who is all-pervading, one who moves through the sky

6
Ashtanga Namaskara
(Salute With Eight Parts Or Points)
What to chant: Om Pooshne Namaha
Meaning: Giver of nourishment and fulfillment

7
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
What to chant: Om Hiranyagarbhaaya Namaha
Meaning: Who has golden color brilliance

8
Parvatasana (Mountain pose)
What to chant: Om Mareechaye Namaha
Meaning: The giver of light with infinite number of rays

9
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
What to chant: Om Aadityaaya Namaha
Meaning: The son of Aditi the cosmic divine Mother

10
Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot pose)
What to chant: Om Savitre Namaha
Meaning: One who is responsible for life

11
Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose)
What to chant: Om Aarkaaya Namaha
Meaning: Worthy of praise and glory

12
Tadasana
What to chant: Om Bhaaskaraya Namaha
Meaning: Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination

It is a good idea to chant these 12 Sun Salutation Mantras with the proper intonations.
You could learn the correct mantra chanting along with the video.
Include these 12 mantras in your daily practice of Surya Namaskar and feel a sense of
oneness with the Sun.