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General Benefits
General Benefits
General Benefits
This dynamic exercise is not traditionally regarded as part of yoga practices but it is
such a good method of loosening up all the joints and muscles in the body, as well
as massaging all the internal organs. It is an excellent exercise to do in the morning
after taking a bath and before doing any other yogic techniques. If one feels tired at
any time of the day, Surya Namaskar will restore lost vitality, both physically and
mentally.
General benefits:
With the description of each Position a few benefits are given which can be directly
attributed to that particular stage. However, Surya Namaskar gives an almost
uncountable number of other benefits, which cannot be attributed to any one Position
but are the result of the whole practice.
Surya Namaskar has a very powerful influence on all the systems of the body:
endocrine, circulatory, respira tory, digestive, etc. and helps bring them into balance
with each other. Many diseases are caused when one or more of these systems are
out of balance. Surya Namaskar puts them into equilibrium, and thus helps to
remedy many ailments that trouble humanity.
During the practice of Surya Namaskar all the major muscles are exercised in a
complete way. Daily practice of this exercise keeps the whole body healthy and
removes excess fat. It revitalizes the body and mind and makes the thinking power
much sharper.
All the abdominal organs are alternately stretched and compressed. This ensures
that the organs function correctly. If they do not work efficiently at present, it
encourages them to do so.
Many people do not breathe properly. Synchronization of the breath with the physical
movement during Surya Namaskar ensures that the practitioner, at least for a few
minutes daily, breathes deeply and rhythmically as he should. This removes
stagnant, germ-filled air from the lungs and replaces it with health-giving, oxygen
enriched air. Increased mental clarity is brought about by the influx of fresh, oxidized
blood to the brain.
Many people in this modern world suffer from nervous problems. There is no better
way to remove nervous tension, stress and anxiety than by regularly doing Surya
Namaskar. The movements gently massage the nervous connections throughout the
whole body, allowing them to relax and become revitalized.
To summarize, Surya Namaskar is the ideal exercise to bestow good health, and
who does not want good health? Surya Namaskar is recommended for all people, fit
or unfit, young or old; big or small, male or female.
Breath: Normal.
Benefits: Stretches the abdominal viscera, removing excess fat and improving
digestion. Exercises the arm and shoulder muscles, tones the spinal nerves and
opens all the lung compartments.
Breath: Exhale as you bend forward.Try to contract the abdomen in the final
Position to expel the maximum amount of air.
At the same time bend the left knee but keep the left foot in the same
Position. The arms should remain straight and in the same Position.
In the final Position, the weight of the body should be supported on the two
hands, the left foot, the right knee and the toes of the right foot. The head
should be tilted backward, the back arched and the gaze di erect upward.
Benefits: Massages the abdominal organs and improves their functioning. The
muscles of the legs are strengthened. Nervous balance is attained.
Raise the buttocks in the air and lower the head so that it lies between the two
arms; the body should form two sides of a triangle.
Try to keep the heels in contact with the ground in this pose.
Breath: Exhale as you straighten the left leg and bend the trunk.
Concentration: On vishuddhi chakra.
Benefits: Strengthens the nerves and muscles in the arms and legs.Bends the spine
in the opposite direction to the previous pose and so further helps to make it supple.
Tones the spinal nerves and supplies them with a fresh flow of blood.
The hips and abdomen should be raised slightly off the ground.
Benefits: Strengthens the leg and arm muscles. Develop the chest.
Breath: Inhale while raising the body and arching the back.
Benefits: The abdomen is compressed, helping to squeeze stagnant blood from the
abdominal organs and encouraging a flow of fresh blood. This pose is very useful for
all stomach ailments, including indigestion and constipation. Arching the back
exercises the spine, making the muscles supple and revitalizing the most important
spinal nerves.
From the arched back Position assume the mountain pose as described in
Position 5.
Bend the left leg and bring the left foot forward so that it lies near the hands.
Mantra: Om Adityaya Namaha (Salutations to the son of Aditi) Note : Aditi is one of
the names of the infinite cosmic mother.
Straighten both legs and try to bring the forehead as close to the knees as
possible.
Do not strain if you are unable to touch the knees but do not bend the legs.
Straighten the whole body and raise the arms above the head.
Bring the hands in front of the chest and place the palms together.
Positions 13-24 :
Positions 1 to 12 constitute half a round of Surya Namaskar. For the second half,
Positions 1 to 12 are repeated but with a few minor changes:
a) In stage 4, instead of stretching the right foot backward, stretch the left foot back
in the same way.
b) In Position 9, bend the right leg and bring the right foot near the hands.
Bija mantras:
As an alternative to the twelve names of the sun, there is a series of bija mantras or
seed syllables. Bija mantras do not have any literal meaning but set up powerful
vibrations of energy within the mind and body. The bija mantras are six in number,
and are repeated consecutively in the following order, four times during a complete
round of Surya Namaskar.
1. Om Hrām
2. Om Hrim
3. Om Hroom
4. Om Hraim
5. Om Hraum
6. Om Hrah
When Surya Namaskar is practised too fast repeat the sun mantras, then the bija
mantras are sufficient.
Beginners should not do a large number of rounds. They should start with 2 or 3 and
add one more round on each successive day. Advanced students can practise a
large number of rounds if they wish.
Sequence: Surya Namaskar is ideally practised before the other asanas. This
loosens the whole body and removes sleepiness. After completing Surya Namaskar
the practitioner is advised to do shavasana for a few minutes.
This will allow the heartbeat and respiration to return to normal, and relax all the
muscles in the body.
Precautions:
The practice of Surya Namaskar should be immedi ately discontinued if a fever
develops due to excess toxins in the body. These toxins should be eliminated over a
period of time by practising other asanas. When the toxins have been removed,
Surya Namaskar can again be com mind. The practitioner should not do more
rounds than he can comfortably perform without excessive physical fatigue.
Limitations:
There are no age limits regarding the practice of Surya Namaskar; both the old and
the young can perform it.
Ladies, however, should not do this practice after the fourth month of pregnancy.