Benefits of the Sun Salutations


Throughout the ages the ancients have honored the sacred relationship between ourselves and the great solar deity. 

Traditionally the sun salutations or Soorya Namaskar were practiced at dawn facing towards the rising sun. The times of dawn and dusk were both used to sun gaze by civilizations all over the world. A practice by which the participant will gaze at the sun as it rises or sets to repair refraction in the eye and improve eyesight even correcting conditions such as strabismus especially when coupled with the movement or exercise of the eye muscles that happens as part of every asana practice. 

The 12 asanas practiced during the salutations work to warm and wake the body for the day ahead.
Traditionally 12 rounds of were undertaken by the practitioner each day.

The benefits of Soorya Namaskar are great. Among those benefits we can list a reduction in physical fat. Increased energy and lung capacity. Greater clarity in thought. And improved strength and flexibility.

The Sun salutations are linked to the solar plexus which in yoga we describe as our inner battery or store house for energy [prana]. The Solar plexus, sometimes known as the celiac plexus is made up of white and grey brain matter. Hence the 'gut feeling' we experience during a feeling of instinct.

 Scientific studies have proven that when practiced slowly the salutations not only improve the strength and general tome of the muscles but also the function of the organs.


"All our emotions get stored in the solar plexus. It is also the point from where one's gut feelings arise. The size of the solar plexus is said to be like that of a small gooseberry. However, for those who do yoga and meditation, it becomes three to four times larger than the normal size. The more expanded your solar plexus, the greater is your mental stability and your intuition".
~  Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sun salutations could also be one of the greatest cures for today's obesity issue as this study attests. 




The Soorya Namaskar can also help to balance women's hormones, reduce stress and encourage healthy blood flow throughout the body, aiding fertility and improving women's general health. 



The fabulous Dr John Douillard discusses the little known benefits of the sun salutations. He himself studied the Soorya Namaskar in India and is one of my personal favorite holistic health experts. 

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