namaste
04.03.2016
Each morning I do the sun salutation (Surya Namaskar) after a run as it stretches out all of your body and calms the heart and mind from the cardio exercise. I’m really excited to combine mediation and yoga in Bali as they go hand in hand – yoga evens out the energy in your body and gets rid of stress ready to start meditating. The Buddhist centre in Bethnal Green have drop in yoga classes three times a week that I definitely need to try before I go away, and they only cost a small donation! In Hindu tradition the sun salutation is simply a prayer to the sun god (Surya) and the 12 sides to him: the friend, guide, bestower of beauty, stimulator of senses, nourisher, creator, destroyer of disease, inspirer, purifier, radiant and illuminator. Doing each step while thinking of its traditional importance calms the mind even more no matter what religious or spiritual beliefs you have.
Follow these easy steps a repeat 6 times to do a full sun salutation:
1 Stand in tree pose with your arms in a prayer position. Thank the friend who is affectionate to all.
2 Sweep your arms up and over your head into a backward bend. Honours the heavens and the guide who is cause to change.
3 Bow and bend forward, holding your legs. Connect with the earth and respect the creator of its beauty.
4 Put your left leg behind you and right leg bent, sweeping your arms behind you. A prayer to the diffusion of light.
5 Go into downward dog pose. Honouring the one in the sky.
6 Move forward along the floor into corba pose. Giving a thought to he who nourishes all and contains everything.
7 Return back into downward dog. Lifting the pelvis to the sky and one who possesses rays.
8 Bring your left leg forward this time and lay right along the floor. A prayer to him who is God of Gods.
9 Stand slowly and return to forward bend. Respecting the one who provides everything.
8 Raise arms over the head again and lean slightly backwards. Looking towards the heavens and the worshipped one.
9 Stand straight and bring arms down into Namaste pose. Gather the heavens back into the heart and breath with our hands.