Offer homage to the Sun through the practice of Surya Namaskar. Explore the most wonderful health benefits of Sun Salutation series in this piece of writing.

‘Surya Namaskar’ represents the yogic manifestation of paying heart-warming homage to the Sun who is the ultimate source of power and life. The word ‘Surya’ represents the ‘Sun’ while ‘Namaskar’ is the Sanskrit translation of ‘Salutation’. This is the one of the most beneficial series in Yoga suitable for the yogis of all stages, types, and groups. Often kept as the opening Series of a yoga practice, Sun Salutations can be practiced at any time of the day after maintaining a gap of at least 2 hours between a meal and its practice. However, Surya Namaskar benefits are best extracted when practiced at the sunrise. The time of dawn is when the body is the peachiest, both in the mind and body --ready to come in Yoga under the shadow of the Sun.

According the ancient scriptures, the Sun Salutations are performed in an orderly series of 12 yoga asanas that go as follows:

Pranamasana(1) – Hasta Uttanasana (2) – Pada Hasthanasana (3)– Ashwa Sanchalanasana (4)– Parvatasana(5) – Dandasana (6) – Ashtanga Namaskara (7)– Bhujangasana (8)-- Parvatasana (9)– Ashwa Sanchalanasana (10) – Pada Hasthanasana (11)-- Hasta Uttanasana (12)

The series commence and conclude in Pranamasana (Prayer Pose) in a clock-wise manner.

Let us discuss the seven excellent health benefits of Surya Namaskar:

Instigates Healthy Weight Loss

This is a highly effective series for those looking to shed extra fat as well as water weight from the body. The asanas practiced in this series work towards stretching, flexing, and heating the various parts and organs of the body resulting in an aggravated metabolic rate and promoting fat loss through constant perspiration and stress. It also improves the flexibility of the body and the mind both.

Enhances Skin Texture and Glow

The primary reason behind a dull and lifeless skin is the presence of toxins and a lack of proper nutrient flow in the body. Another one of Sun Salutation benefits, the practice results in a deep elimination of Ama (harmful toxins) from the body thereby rendering a translucent glow to the skin. With the pimples and acne marks finally cleared up with the elimination of toxins, the skin texture improves considerably.

Promotes Cardiovascular Health

When the Surya Namaskar is performed in a fast-paced and organized manner, it can be a great cardiovascular workout as the motion and postures result in an increase in the heart rate. The amount of fresh blood supply to the heart is enhanced. The elimination of toxins from the body also results in fresh nutrients being absorbed into the blood that are devoid of any germs or bacteria.

Awakens the Mind and Body

One of the primary and more obvious health benefits of Sun Salutation is that it activates the body and awakens the mind that becomes lazy and inward after waking up from the nightcap. With the practice of Surya Namaskar, you shall feel a completely wonderful awakening of the body and mind.

Corrects Hormonal Imbalance

With the regulation of blood and nutrients, the series work towards balancing the endocrine system by correcting the disturbed hormones of the body.

Improves Digestion and Respiratory Health

The practice deeply expands and contracts the sacs of the lungs facilitating a complete utilization of the lungs. This clears up any blocked channels in the body while the lungs are emptied out of any impure air to give way to fresh oxygen being transported into the brain. An energetic and exciting day indeed!

Balances Emotional Health

You can find an instant release from anxiety, stress, and fatigue through the practice of Sun Salutations. Performing the series in a slow and easy motion leads the body and mind into a meditative state that is deeply relaxing and rejuvenating.

According to the ancient scriptures and advanced technological research on the Sun, it is safe to conclude that the Sun is indeed a Supreme Being and the ultimate incarnation of power and energy. Wake up a few minutes before the Sunrise to perform the Shat Kriya (yogic detoxification work) and set out to devote at least 10 minutes to the practice of Sun Salutation for gaining it all and more.