Surya Namaskar (Salutation to Sun)

Each stage of Suryanamaskar is accompanied by regulation of breath.

Suryanamaskar combines Yogasanas and Pranayama. As such, it comes in between Sithilikarana Vyayama and Yogasana and brings about the general flexibility of the body preparing it for further Asanas and Pranayama. This is usually done both at sunrise and sunset, facing the Sun.

There are mainly 2 modes of performing Suryanamaskar. In one, there are 12 steps or counts and in the other only 10 in each round. Each round of Suryanamaskar is done after the utterance of 'Omkar' with the appropriate 'Bija' Mantra, along with the corresponding name of Sun God.

(In 10 Stages Suryanamaskar, the 5th and 9th stages are omitted).

Meditation or contemplation with the prolonged pronunciation of 'Omkar' the Bija Aksara, 'Ha' and the letter or the sound 'R' which came in every Mantra influences and stimulates the nerve centres in the brain corresponding to the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems, make them more active, efficient and healthy.

The different names of the Sun according to their meanings, instil in the person those qualities like friendship, devotion, energy, health, strength, luster and vigour as he identifies with the Supreme and meditates on those qualities during the practice.

I - Inhalation E - Exhalation E & K - Exhale & Hold Breat