Surya Namaskar – meaning Sun Salutation – is a sequence of 12 movements that flow from one to the other, in synchrony with the breath. It has been practiced in India since ancient times to keep the body strong and the mind clear. Outwardly, they are a sequence of asanas choreographed with breath in such a way that it improves strength and flexibility while keeping the heart and the spine healthy. But the inner aspect of Surya Namaskar – which consists of surrendering the body and mind so that we become channels for a larger purpose – has deep spiritual purpose.
In this workshop, we explore the basic postures of Surya Namaskar from both anatomical and astral perspectives. The experiential part consists of practicing several rounds of Surya Namaskar, with Navi Kriya and nadi shuddhi (meridian cleansing pranayama), followed by chanting and meditation.
The Yogasana Intensives are a series of 9 workshops designed to explore the physical, astral, and causal aspects of yoga postures. Designed for all levels and for students considering Yoga Teacher Training, each workshop picks up the thread of Hatha Yoga from a specific topic and typically consists of:
- A brief discussion of the topic
- An asana and pranayama routine, designed specifically to explore the topic with our bodies
- A meditation session
At the end of each workshop, we will provide a suggested Yoga routine which you can practice at home to continue your exploration.
[Photo by Relaxing Music – CC BY]