International Yoga Day 2020: Reasons Why You Should Perform Surya Namaskar Daily

In the practice of yoga, Surya Namaskar is a salutation performed to the Sun offering gratitude and love for the life-giving energy that it provides. The sun represents energy, power, and vitality. As the Surya Nadi or Sun Channel runs along the right side, you begin the Surya Namaskar with your right leg first. The Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation is best practiced early in the morning before sunrise. Experience many benefits such as physical and mental strength, better command over your body, calmness of the mind, balanced energies, and inner peace. Surya Namaskar is a powerful technique to make you more mindful. With regular practise, it increases awareness forming a deeper connection between the body, breath and consciousness. You can start with 5 cycles a day as a beginner, and slowly increase it to 11 cycles per day.

International Yoga Day 2020: Surya Namaskar benefits and steps

Technique

The Surya Namaskar contains a total number of 8 asanas woven into a sequence of 12 steps for each side, right and left. When you begin the Surya Namaskar, you must start with the right side. One complete cycle is done when you cover both the sides, and this is made of 24 counts. Each asana has a specific breath assigned to it, and this must be followed through the 24 steps of the sun salutation.