In ancient cultures, people understood that life existed due to the heat and light energy that living creatures derive from the Sun.
The Sun was given due respect and was prayed to like a deity.
The ‘Surya Namaskar’ or ‘Sun Salutation’ exercise was designed by our ancestors as a way to connect with nature and awaken the life force energy with us.
If we have been practicing the Surya Namaskar as a physical exercise, then it’s time to move to the more subtle stage of the practice where we are able to include and engage our mind and spirit along with the physical body, during the performance of this yogic exercise.
Here’s a guide that can help us shift our awareness from performing a mere physical sequence of postures to including breath awareness as well as focus on energy centres within our subtle being, as we transition from pose to pose. This enables us to get the energy moving from areas where it may be stuck and stagnant, indicating a weakness in that region at the physical level. So as we repair at this subtle ‘pranic’ level of our being, the healing effects peter down to the physical body, curing ailments and diseases.
1 – Synchronizing Breath and Movement
While performing the Surya Namaskar, breath control (pranayama) is most crucial. We should be inhaling with the backbends and exhaling into the forwards. This works our lungs efficiently and is the correct way to breathe. Further we must lengthen our breaths and synchronise and match every inhalation and exhalation with our movement during the Sun Salutation to create a seamless flow of both body movement and energy flow, or flow of ‘prana’ through the body. This entails elongating the breaths and keeping it going for as long as it takes to get into the posture. So then it is a continuous flow of long graceful breaths – deep in, deep out; deep in, deep out, like the ebb and flow of ocean waves.
While performing the Sun Salutation the breath helps us remain very concentrated and connected with the present moment. It helps keep our mind calm, and allows us to experience the different levels of our being while doing the practice. The fluidity of movement actually mirrors the natural cycles of the universe, so this practice can help unite us with nature around us and help us experience that oneness with our surroundings.
2 Chanting Mantras
Words have power, because sound energy is extremely potent. We can experience the dynamism of sound vibrations as we chant the relevant mantra with each posture of the Surya Namaskar. This can transport us into a spiritual dimension. Traditionally, each posture of Surya Namaskar is associated with a different mantra honouring the Sun god, Surya. These mantras, when chanted with intention, activate vibrational energy that helps cleanse the mind and elevate the spirit.
3 Activating the Chakras
As per Vedic beliefs, chakras are vortexes of energy in our energy body. Every chakra is linked to a different level of consciousness, and advanced Surya Namaskar can activate these chakras or energy centres. Every posture in Surya Namaskar activates a different chakra in the panic body. By doing Surya Namaskar with awareness on these chakras, practitioners can unlock energy pathways and clear the path to spiritual growth and self-awareness.
Conclusion: Moving Beyond the Physical
Advanced Surya Namaskar goes beyond achieving physical prowess it’s more about tapping into the spiritual and energetic aspects of our being. Instead of starting it on our own, one can get initiated and familiarised into this deeper understanding of Surya Namaskar with an experienced teacher and transform this age-old practice into a deep spiritual journey.
To embrace the practice with gratitude and enthusiasm do join the Live Online Yoga Sessions at Yoga with Sapna today.