Why 108 Sun Salutations?


Most Yoga classes include some version of a Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar). These linked poses are a powerful warm-up but also serve another purpose. Surya Namaskar is a salute to the sun or a way to create a new and fresh beginning, hence why it is done at the beginning of a yoga class.
Read on to learn why many yogis, including us at Island Movement, practice this tradition on the first of the New Year.

Why 108 Sun Salutations?

In Yoga, the number 108 is significant for many reasons. 108 is a common number in many sacred yogic texts, and added together, 1+0+8 = 9, which symbolizes universal love, eternity, and awakening. According to Ayurveda, there are 108 sacred points on the body.
Traditionally, Sun Salutations honor the Winter & Summer Solstice and the Spring & Fall Equinox. Many Western Yogi's also use 108 Sun Salutations to mark the beginning of the New Year. The practice harnesses the power of rebirth and new beginnings to detoxify and shed the unwanted experiences of the previous year.
Here is a link to Sun Salutation A & Sun Salutation B if you are unfamiliar with the sequence.

Benefits of 108 Sun Salutations

The internal fire created through this moving meditation helps to cleanse and detoxify while you turn inward and create a more robust connection to yourself. 
You will experience two things if you participate in 108 Sun Salutations. First, more energy as you improve the flow of Prana through your body, and the second is surrender.
Yes, you should expect to want to stop at some point in your practice of 108 Sun Salutations, and it is ok if you stop or pause. If you surrender and keep going during the practice, you will find a sense of flow which leaves you feeling lighter and more open to new possibilities. 
A few other things you may experience during a 108 Sun Salutation Practice:
  • You are, physically, stronger than you think. (We will offer modifications so you can participate no matter the level of your practice.)
  • Negative energy and emotions can be released.
  • You can shift your perspective.
  • You will find your inner strength, allowing you to overcome many obstacles.

See You on the Mat!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrate Earth Day with Some Meditation

Image
A National Survey of Americans reports 14.2% of adults practice some form of meditation (2017). Meditation is a mind-body practice that helps to focus the mind which increases calm, physical relaxation, coping mechanisms, and overall health & well-being. How to get started? Meditation is easy to start and hard to master. Like Yoga, Meditation is a practice . You need to let go of expectations and embrace the process. Many types of meditation exist, below we will describe one of the most common. Seated, Quiet, Meditation Step 1- Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.  Step 2- Close your eyes. Step 3- Release. Your first meditation will not be perfect. Focus on a mantra (phrase) or word. Repeat the Mantra as a means to focus your mind on the present, not on the list of things you have to do. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the word, or mantra. An Earth Day Mantra suggestion:   om shanti shanti (om= universal sound, shanti=peace; spoken
Read more

Health & Fitness Evolution or Transformation- Imperfect Progress and Failing Forward

Image
First off, thank you all for the love on my posts.  I am truly humbled by the support.  That being said, I have had a lot of questions about how did I get here, and statements like:  "I want to be you, or I could never be you."  If you want this, it is yours.  If you think you can't do this - let me be real.  You are just wrong! This health and fitness journey path that I am isn't hard to duplicate.  I copied it off of someone else.  You know what, that is OK and you can do it too.  Here is my path, if you want to walk this journey together- join me in my next challenge group. Meal Prep 101 I am going to show you how I have gotten here through Imperfect Progress and Failing Forward . So let me start with Step 1 Exercise . You can't talk about it.  You can think about it.  You have to do it, do SOMETHING.  That first "something" may not be 100% correct but it will help you to make the next step. I read a friends' blog - here is
Read more

BVI Day 2 & 3

Image
Never a dull moment for the Heil Clan!  I want to start by stating that we do have GREAT traveling partners, they have been so easy going and flexible.  So our adventures over the last two days. When ever you lead a larger group there is a constant battle to keep the group together.  We call that "Herding Cats"!  Our cats have been starting "meowing" whenever we refer to them.  Super cute. Friday night the entire group made it safely to St. Thomas in the USVI.  On Saturday AM we headed to the British Virgin Islands, specifically the island of Tortilla.  We have been assigned a 42' Lagoon named Bear.   (Yes we think this is cool BearCat friends.)   Here is where the adventure starts and the Cats had to be flexible.  Bear is brand new!   Bear's Specs  You too can own her for a mere $573, 000.  This will be her maiden voyage, after sea trials in France.  Why is this important?  (Other than being just cool:))   No INTERNET!  They haven't installed it yet
Read more