Some sequences of the Sun Salute
Surya-Namaskara is a relatively young
practice, if we consider that the birth of Yoga is lost in the
mists of time. In the Indian “Ashram” (yoga communities), is
rigorously performed at the crack of dawn, to better exploit a
particular aspect of the solar energy present in that moment.
Its function, in addition to the Bhakti’s one (devotional), in
which we learn to open our centers of solar energy, considered
of divine origin, can be to wisely relax the body and prepare it
for facing the daily stress. The positions performed in a
continue sequence are matched with the deep breathing.
Generally, we breathe in during the postures of expansion of the
chest and, on the contrary, we breathe out during its
compression.
The “Sun Salutes”, that I’m presenting, are five, some of which
belonged to the Indian tradition and some else to my
inspiration. The Surya-Namaskara is also a demonstration of how
Yoga is not only static, but, anyway, if it’s used in a
condition of deep internalization, becomes a practice of moving
meditation. The five types illustrated here are preferably to be
performed in succession as an out-and-out sequence. Each of them
has precise characteristics of stimulation or purification.
You’ll see that the difference between the classical
Rishikesh and the
Vivasvat is only in
introducing, in the second one, the torsions. The third one is
called
Aruna,
an energetic depuration practice. The fourth one, called
Samkranti, can be
considered a devotional experience and the consciousness raising
of the cardinal points and of the sun’s shift from East to West.
The fifth one, the Vedic, through its strong positions,
represents the trial to awaken oneself primordial energy, to
raise it up to the sun that represents here the male energy.
Here is
some benefit that the practice can give: the positions favor
both the stretching of the whole body and the elasticity and
relaxing of the vertebral column. The Surya-Namaskara, then,
helps develop the awareness of breathing by promoting the
harmony between the breathing in and the breathing out from
which it results a deep state of clear calm. In particular, as I
mentioned before, if it is performed at the crack of dawn, it
facilitates the acquisition of the energy necessary to face the
daily activity. In conclusion, from a psychological point of
view, it helps the raising of the “positive thought”, the
predisposition to action, and the decision-making ability.
by Amadio Bianchi