{"id":4920,"date":"2020-05-22T00:00:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T23:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/?p=4920"},"modified":"2020-04-26T19:18:15","modified_gmt":"2020-04-26T18:18:15","slug":"the-sun-salutation-ritual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/2020\/05\/22\/the-sun-salutation-ritual\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sun Salutation Ritual"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Surya Namaskar is the complete total body workout for which no other exercise is required.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Sun Salutation, or <em>Surya Namaskar<\/em> in Sivananda Yoga\u00a0is a\u00a0flowing repetition of postures that follows the traditional Hatha Yoga method. Originally performed at dawn as prostrations to the sun god, it evolved to represent the all-encompassing and powerful divinity of the sun. It is, quite literally, a ritual\u00a0that awakens and salutes each and every part of the body, mind and spirit.<\/p>\n<p>From the time of the earliest civilizations, our <strong>Sun<\/strong> has been a symbol of life, power and energy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In Greek mythology, <em>Helios<\/em> was the God who rode the chariot of the sun across the sky each day.<\/li>\n<li>The ancient Egyptians worshiped <em>Ra<\/em>, the sun deity who was believed to have created all living beings.<\/li>\n<li>The Aztecs offered sacrifices to their Sun God, <em>Huitzilopochtli<\/em>, for victory, domination and wealth.<\/li>\n<li>The Roman civilization recognized <em>Apollo<\/em>\u00a0as a God of the Sun who propagated light and knowledge to the world.<\/li>\n<li>And in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, rituals such as Surya Namaskar paid hommage to <em>Savitr<\/em> or <em>Surya<\/em>\u00a0for enlightenment, radiant health and immortality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So it\u2019s clear to see how greatly our Sun has influenced essential aspects of human life, such as religion, spirituality, art, culture, archaeology and science.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fittexted_for_content_h3\">Benefits of the Sun Salutation<\/h3>\n<p>The Sun Salutation\u00a0is perceived\u00a0by yoga experts\u00a0to be the complete total body workout for which no other exercise is required.\u00a0In addition to effective cardiovascular and aerobic conditioning, regular practice improves physical strength, corrects the posture,<span class=\"pullquote-right\">Surya Namaskar is the complete total body workout for which no other exercise is required.<\/span> tones the muscles, strengthens the core,\u00a0reduces belly fat, enhances organ functions, purifies the blood, boosts immunity and improves blood circulation.<\/p>\n<p>With regards to the long-term mental and spiritual health benefits, the Sun Salutation increases confidence, optimism and awareness. It is known to enlarge\u00a0the solar plexus, hence\u00a0developing creative, mental and intuitive capabilities. It also balances the Ayurvedic constitutions and heightens individual\u00a0vitality, radiance, energy, aura and poise.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fittexted_for_content_h3\">The Sun Salutation Sequence<\/h3>\n<p>The traditional\u00a0Surya Namaskar\u00a0consists of up to twelve rounds of\u00a0a sequence of twelve postures. The continuous and harmonious progression of these postures, each counteracting the one before, opens the joints, loosens stiff muscles, stretches the spine and lengthens the entire body in preparation for the practice of asanas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4921\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1998\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga.jpg 1998w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga-300x49.jpg 300w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga-1024x169.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga-768x126.jpg 768w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_sun-salutation-ritual_yoga-1536x253.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1998px) 100vw, 1998px\" \/><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em><strong>Pranamasana<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or Prayer Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Hastauttanasana<\/strong><\/em> or Raised Arms Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Uttanasana<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or Standing Forward Bend<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Ashwa Sanchalanasana<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or Equestrian pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Phalakasana<\/strong><\/em> or Plank Pose<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Ashtanga Namaskar<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>or Eight-Limbed Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Bhujangasana<\/strong><\/em> or Cobra Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Parvatasana<\/strong><\/em> or Inverted V Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Ashwa Sanchalanasana<\/strong><\/em> or Equestrian Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Uttanasana<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or Standing Forward Bend<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Hastauttanasana<\/strong><\/em> or Raised Arms Pose<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Tadasana<\/strong><\/em> or Mountain Pose<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 class=\"fittexted_for_content_h3\">The Sun Salutation Mantras<\/h3>\n<p>Every posture\u00a0corresponds to a specific mantra. Mentally or audibly reciting these mantras during each pose completely absorbs the Sun Salutation\u2019s benefits, meaning and\u00a0power.<\/p>\n<div class=\"grid one-third\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4922 size-thumbnail aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00012-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00012-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00012.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>1.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>Om Mitr\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong> Pranamasana\u00a0or Prayer Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the\u00a0friend of all.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4923 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00001-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00001-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00001.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>2.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>Om Ravay\u00e9 Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong> Hastauttanasana or Raised Arms Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the shining one.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4924 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00002-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00002-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00002.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>3.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>Om\u00a0Sury\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong> Uttanasana\u00a0or Standing Forward Bend<br \/>\n<strong>Significance: <\/strong>Salutations to the one who encourages activity.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4925 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00003-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00003-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00003.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>4.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>Om Bh\u0101nav\u00e9 Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong> Ashwa Sanchalanasana\u00a0or Equestrian pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance: <\/strong>Salutations to the one who illuminates.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4926 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00004-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00004-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00004.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>5.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Om Khag\u0101ya Namaha<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:\u00a0<\/strong>Phalakasana or Plank Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the one who moves across the sky.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4927 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00005-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00005-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00005.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em>6. Om P\u016bshn\u00e9 Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Ashtanga Namaskar<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>or Eight-Limbed Pose<em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the giver of nourishment and strength.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4928 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00006-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00006-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00006.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em>7. Om Hiranya Garbh\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the golden cosmic self.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4929 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00007-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00007-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00007.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>8. Om Marichaye Namaha<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Parvatasana or Inverted V Pose<em><br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the infinite rays of healing.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4930 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00008-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00008-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00008.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em>9. Om\u00a0\u0100dity\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Ashwa Sanchalanasana or Equestrian Pose<em><br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to Aditi, the infinite cosmic mother.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4931 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00009-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00009-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00009.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><em><strong>10. Om Savitr\u00e9 Namaha<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Uttanasana\u00a0or Standing Forward Bend<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the power of the rising sun.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4932 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00010-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00010-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00010.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em>11. Om \u0100rk\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Hastauttanasana or Raised Arms Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the\u00a0one worthy of praise.<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4933 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00011-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00011-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/paula-tooths_yoga_sun-salutation-00011.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid two-third last\"><strong><em>12. Om Bhaskar\u0101ya Namaha<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Pose:<\/strong>\u00a0Tadasana or Mountain Pose<br \/>\n<strong>Significance:<\/strong> Salutations to the path to enlightenment.<\/div>\n<p>The sun is a precious, unparalleled source of energy and without it, life on Earth would no longer exist. This is precisely why\u00a0Surya Namaskar should always be practiced in humility and while meditating on the Sun\u2019s marvelous gifts of glorious health and radiant energy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surya Namaskar is the complete total body workout for which no other exercise is required. The Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskar in Sivananda Yoga\u00a0is a\u00a0flowing repetition of postures that follows the traditional Hatha Yoga method. Originally performed at dawn as prostrations to the sun god, it evolved to represent the all-encompassing and powerful divinity of the sun. It is, quite literally, a ritual\u00a0that awakens and salutes each and every part of the body, mind and spirit. From the time of &hellip; <a class=\"kt-excerpt-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/2020\/05\/22\/the-sun-salutation-ritual\/\" aria-label=\"The Sun Salutation Ritual\">   <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2770],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-paula-tooths"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4920"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4939,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920\/revisions\/4939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulatooths.com\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}