What Is The Sun Salutation In Yoga?

By Renee Barnes-Orozco

The Sun Salutation sequence is at the heart of just about any yoga practice. In most yoga disciplines, this sequence is one of the main series of stretches that is included in many routines. The controlled breathing during the practice of Sun Salutation energizes the body and many benefits are achieved as you go. The Sun represents the physical and spiritual heart of the world. Each posture is performed deliberately, and the entire sequence is repeated at least five times.

The Yoga Sun Salutation Sequence

This sequence is a great warm up for the whole body that is typically practiced early on in yoga class. The salute to the sun series of poses helps stretch the body and prepares it for more intense yoga poses. One of the most challenging aspects about yoga is to master the correct positioning and breathing while performing a sequence of poses. The purpose of the sun salutation is to energize and warm the body to create more limber and loose muscles, which can prepare you for more challenging asanas. As the Sun Salutation series warms up the body, it also helps tone the core muscles.

The Flexibility Of The Body And Spine

Practicing the Sun Salutation helps you build strength and flexibility in your body while warming you up for other poses to come. To increase flexibility, you should consider pausing for a few breaths with each pose, trying to stretch deeper with each exhalation. Practicing this improves your core body strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. As you improve in your yoga practice, you will be promoting balance, stability and strength. Poses can be held much longer, to build strength, stamina, balance; or you can speed up your Sun Salutations for a great work out and metabolism burn. Regardless, you will need to master breathing properly in order to do this sequence (or any yoga pose).

A Quick Summary Of The Yoga Poses Used In Sun Salutations

While there are variations in the sequence and type of pose used, it is more common to use this sequence:

* Mountain Pose
* Raised Arms Pose
* Forward Bend
* Flat Back
* Low Lunge
* Plank
* Chaturanga (Knees, Chest and Chin)
* Upward Facing Dog
* Downward Facing Dog
* Low Lunge
* Forward Bend
* Raised Arms Pose
* Mountain Pose

Each of these moves are fairly easy to do on their own, but when put together in a sequence such as Sun Salutations, it can be challenging, especially if you are moving through the sequence quickly. Be prepared to get warm pretty quick.

Namaste.

Hi. I'm Renee Barnes-Orozco and I got started with practicing yoga to help me overcome major back pain and spasms. It is my desire to help others become more aware of how yoga can help them. Feel free to visit my blog at http://peacefulyoga.club/blog If you are in need of a great premium yoga mat, be sure to check out our mats at http://rbosuccess.click.org/premiumyogamats

Article Source:  What Is The Sun Salutation In Yoga?