‘Surya Namaskar’ and ‘Power Yoga’ are two names of yogic terminology that most people are familiar with.
Combining the two, by modifying the Sun Salutation into a Power Yoga Practice, can produce many beneficial results. These benefits extend beyond just weight loss.
I have designed several such flows in my class, combining the Sun Salutation Steps with additional postures. These are performed at a steady pace, moving quickly from posture to posture and then interspersed with postures that one holds as well for a long stretch upto one full minute and sometimes longer. I have heard my students comment that this combination of Surya Namaskar and power yoga is exhilarating and produces immediate results.
Surya Namaskar
Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation, is essentially a 12 plus 12-pose sequence (left and right side) performed in a rhythmic flow, usually at the beginning of a yoga session. Every movement or asana is synchronised with breath and is done in a meditative stance. The key benefits of Surya Namaskar include:
Improved flexibility through dynamic spinal movement.
Working major muscle groups, particularly the arms, legs, and core.
Enhanced circulation.
Improved respiratory and lung function through regulated breathing.
Whether one is a beginner or an experienced practitioner, I would say, Surya Namaskar is a great way to wake up our body, cleanse the lungs, loosen stiff muscles, enliven and energise us for the day ahead.
Power Yoga
Power Yoga is often misunderstood to be just a rush of postures. Certainly Power yoga entails a smooth continuous transition from pose to pose but it also includes the holding steady of postures, which really fires up the muscles and challenges the body. So Power Yoga is a combination of movement and stillness the movement is designed as a cardiac workout to increase heart rate and the stillness is designed to build endurance.
The main benefits of Power Yoga would include:
Burning of calories while toning and strengthening muscles.
Improving cardiovascular health and stamina.
Developing core strength and overall body balance.
Building focus and reducing stress.
Combination of Surya Namaskar and Power Yoga
There are several reasons to try this dynamic duo, including:
Full Body Workout: When we combine these two yoga practices, we can work on every muscle group in our body and get a complete body workout.
Less Stress: The calming elements of Surya Namaskar help to balance out the intensity of Power Yoga, leaving us refreshed rather than burnt out.
More Versatility: Whether one has 20 minutes or an hour, one can adapt this routine to fit one’s schedule.
The Bottom Line
Surya Namaskar is a prayer to the glorious Sun thanking this celestial body for the heat and light energy it provides, which sustains all life on our planet. When we incorporate Power Yoga with Surya Namaskar, it’s like a solar recharge for our soul, mind, and body.
To do it right, or if one is looking for professional help to understand Surya Namaskar for Beginners, book your session at ‘Yoga with Sapna’ today, and take a positive step forward towards incorporating this dynamic exercise routine into your schedule.