To begin with let me wish all of you out there a belated but very HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY (21st June)!

I am writing this article as a tribute to yoga and particularly to one of my favourite asanas.

Curious? Don’t worry! You’ll soon know what I’m referring to—though the title does sort of give away the mysterious effect I was trying to create.

First, a little history:

The art of yoga and meditation originated in India in approximately 5th century BC. The word yoga has been derived from its Sanskrit term ‘Yog’ which means union. In this case, union of the body and the soul at a deeper level of consciousness. Traditionally, yoga is based on eight-fold path outlines in Patanjalis Yoga Sutras which is the earliest known scripture for yoga.

Yoga is known to connect body, mind and soul and unite them to work as one entity. The last fold, NIRVANA, or achieving a state of enlightenment is the ultimate state of complete peace and understanding within one’s body and mind.

Now for some sunshine!

In many cultures, the sun is depicted as the source of light and the primary life giver. It is a symbol of consciousness and self-illumination. Since the beginning of Hinduism, the sun, also known as ‘Surya’, has been revered as the physical and spiritual heart of the world. In Rig Veda, the sun is the primary source that begets and feeds mankind in various manners (III.55.19).

One of the means of honouring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence known as ‘Surya Namaskar’, literally translated as Sun Salutation. It is 12-step process that not only has positive effects on the body but also on the mind and spiritual existence.

Does saluting the sun make you shine from within?

Sun salutations are described to be a part of Hatha Yoga. Ideally, sun salutation have been recommended to be done facing the rising sun at dawn. In today’s day and age, considering the changes in our lifestyles and stresses of everyday life, performing sun salutation for 10 minutes a day have shown to have equally beneficial effects in body toning and relaxation.

Physical benefits of sun salutations

• 10 minutes of sun salutation everyday have the same impact on your body as that of a low intensity cardio workout and resistance training rolled into one.
• It helps control obesity and weight gain when done at a fast pace.
• Due to certain weight-bearing positions, it has the effects of resistance training which increases muscle mass, bone density and fat burning.
• When done at a slow pace, it helps to stretch and relax muscles while allowing you to concentrate on your breathing technique to help you achieve a state of relaxation.
• Each pose or asana can be done while chanting a specific mantra to achieve a state of meditation.

Benefits from within

• Regular practice of sun salutations leads to increase in blood oxygenation by increasing the lung volume and cardiac output of the heart.
• Stretches and tones muscles and helps them to be supple and flexible.
• Natural way to detox your body.
• Stimulates the immune system by releasing endorphins and serotonin to give you a happy and healthy feeling.
• Stimulates and tones the endocrine system (thyroid gland).
• It’s a brilliant way of toning internal abdominal organs due to alternative stretching and compression helps improve digestion and bowel movement.
• Improves spinal flexibility.

Mental and spiritual benefits

• Improves concentration and focus.
• Known to reduce anxiety and related depression.
• Increases levels of serotonin (in more detail in my last post).
• Improves body-mind coordination.

So there it is folks, saluting the sun for just 10 minutes every day does have the potential to make you shine from within by improving your physical, mental and spiritual health! It is the ultimate form of achieving enlightenment for us mere mortals to live another 100 years or so! Well, maybe!

So here is me wishing everyone out there a (belated) HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY!

We wish you an active, healthy and pain free life!

References:

Bhutkar M, Bhutkar P, Taware G & Surdi A 2011, ‘How Effective is Sun Salutation in Improving Muscle Strength, General Body Endurance and Body Composition?’, American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol 2, No 4, p.259-266.

Ross A, Friedmann E, Bevans M & Thomas S 2013, ‘National Survey of Yoga Practitioners: Mental and Physical Health Benefits’, Complementary Therapies Med, Vol 21, No 4, p.313-323.

Cowen V & Adams T 2005, ‘Physical and Perceptual Benefits of Yoga Asana Practice: Results of a Pilot Study’, Journal of Bodyworks and Movement Therapies, Vol 9, p.211-219.