Insights on Surya namaskar from its origin to application towards health

Abstract

Suryanamaskar is considered a part of modern-day yogic practices though it was neither considered an asana nor a part of traditional Y oga. Practicing S urya namaskar before beginning routine activities vitalizes the practitioner and gives a completely energized day. Starting from the Raja of Aundh who first introduced surya namaskar, there is a line of eminent people who popularized this dynamic group of asanas including T Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda, Swami Satyananda from Bihar school of Y oga, so on and so forth. Their contributions resulted in this excellent series of A sanas being introduced to the practitioners. Such a miraculous group of postures also involves dynamic breathing patterns at each posture and gives a form of complete practice involving asanas and pranayama. There are a total of 12 postures in S urya namaskar practice and 24 steps in one round. This is in the form of salutation to the “Sun” along with chanting the twelve names of the sun god. In this review, we accentuate the importance of S urya namaskar highlighting its effects on physical, psychological and physiological aspects of the body based on published research. In addition, the usefulness of surya namaskar as one complete sadhana for the whole body is emphasized.

Highlights

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  Surya Namaskar is a yogic practice for Total body health.

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  It has direct and indirect impacts on various glands.

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  It works from physical level to intellectual levels.

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  Complete health capsule for women throughout all stages of life.

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  Surya namaskar is total coordination of body, breath and mind.