Surya Namaskar Pose

As we grow old our youthfulness and skin glow start fading and signs of aging are clearly visible.

Surya namaskar (Sun Salutation) is a sequence of yoga poses that are almost universally beneficial, with benefits that counter many aspects of aging.

Now let’s see one by one how Surya Namaskar is beneficial for an overall healthy and beautiful body.

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF SURYA NAMASKAR (SUN SALUTATION)

1. HELPS STRENGTHEN MUSCLES AND JOINTS

Surya Namaskar offers a good way to stretch and strengthen the muscles, joints, ligaments, as well as our skeletal system.

The movements can also help to increase the flexibility of the spine. When you perform the postures, the limbs become symmetrical helping the internal vital organs to function better.

2. CREATES GLOWING SKIN

Surya namaskar enhances the blood circulation that helps in bringing back the glow on the face, preventing the onset of wrinkles, making the skin look ageless and radiant.

The main reason for getting a glow on your skin by doing Surya Namaskar is that it removes all the toxins from your body which are responsible for making your skin dull and rough.

3. ENSURES A BETTER FUNCTIONING DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The sun salutation or Surya Namaskar helps to maintain a good digestive system.

This yoga increases the blood flow in our body so that all the body parts function properly. Especially the intestines which are responsible for digesting food properly.

The forward bend yoga pose helps to increase our abdomen space. This will help to easily release trapped gas responsible for gastric problems from the body.

4.  HELPS TO GET RID OF INSOMNIA

You can improve your sleeping habits by performing Surya Namaskar.

Different poses of this yoga relax your mind and body and give you a  sound and calm sleep in the night.

5. ENSURES  A REGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Surya namaskar can also be beneficial for women who are suffering from irregular menstrual cycles as it helps regulate them.

Regular practice of the movements can also help in easy childbirth.

6. BRINGS DOWN BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Many experts have proven that this Surya namaskar helps in maintaining blood sugar levels in our body and also plays an important role in keeping the heart healthy and preventing a variety of chronic diseases.

7.  KEEPS ANXIETY AT BAY

This yoga helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system. it also helps to boost our memory, keeping away anxiety and stress.

It normalizes the activity of the endocrine glands, especially the thyroid gland.

8. WILL HELP DETOX THE BODY

It cleanses our body by removing all the toxins.

This makes our body healthy, glowing, and immune to skin diseases.

9. HELPS WITH GRADUAL WEIGHT LOSS

Surya namaskar for weight loss is excellent because it does so gradually and in a sustainable manner.

10. IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY OF THE BODY

Regular practice of Surya namaskar improves the flexibility of your body.

At the starting stage, you will find it a little bit difficult in stretching your body, because your body is not very flexible.

Slowly after performing this exercise regularly, your body will become flexible and you will find it easier to perform this yoga sequence

Tips: I would suggest you do 12 sets of surya namaskar regularly.

Best time to do Surya nnamaskar is morning time during sunrise.

This pose will help you to tone up, relax and calm your body for your day.

HOW TO DOSURYA NAMASKAR (SUN SALUTATION)

1) NAMASKAR MUDRA:

First, stand straight facing straight. Your feet should be together with your hands straight by your side.

Now fold your hands closer to your chest as if you are doing namaska, this is called namaskar mudra.

Be in this position and breathe normally.

Benefit: Pose 1 and 12 help retain balance and strengthen your back, neck, and shoulders.

2) BACK BENDING CHAKRASANA:

Inhale and raise yourself.

Now bend with your back making an arch on the backside.

Stretch as far as possible your arms in an upwards direction.

Stay in this position. Breathing patterns should be normal.

Benefit: Pose 2 and 11 help with digestion and tonearms and spine.

They also make the back and hips more flexible.

3) PADAHASTASAN:

Exhale and bend forward.

Touch your toes without bending your knees. Look downward and breathe normally.

Benefits: Pose 3 and 10 increase blood circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system. They also tone abdominal tracts.

4) ASHWA SANCHALANASANA:

Inhale and place your palms on the floor. Now bend your right leg (between your hands), at a 90-degree angle from the floor.

Stretch your left leg backward and arch your back. Then look upwards and breathe normally.

Benefit: Pose 5 and 8 strengthen your heart and relieve shoulder aches.

5) SANTOLASANA:

Place your right leg slowly behind your left leg and exhale.

Check your hand, it should be aligned with your shoulder below.

Posture should be such that your back, hips, and shoulder should come in a straight line. Breathe normally after coming in this posture.

Benefit: Pose 5 and 8 strengthen your heart and relieve shoulder aches.

6) SHASHTANGE MUDRA:

Bend your chest, knees, chin, and elbows, downwards i.e towards the floor.

Tuck your elbows on the sides and close to the body. Then raise close to the body.

Then raise your hips and breathe normally.

Benefit: Pose 5 strengthens your arms and legs, increases flexibility in the neck and shoulders, and helps release tension in the neck and shoulders.

7) SARPASANA:

Lay on your mat, body and face down, arms by your side.

Inhale and raise your upper body to your elbows your chin raised upwards.

Bend your shoulders backward. Your waist should touch the floor.

Breathe normally.

Benefit: This pose helps in maintaining the digestive tract, and in stimulating blood circulation in all parts of the body.

8) PARVATASANA:

Start seated on your mat with knees bent and feet tucked under each other.  Arms stretched above your head with hands joining inwards.

Exhale, raise your hips ushing the upper body, keeping your heels on the floor.

Keep your knees straight and face downward with your eyes on the navel region.

Once in position breathe normally.

Benefits: Pose 8 and also pose 5. It also helps to stimulate blood circulation in all parts of the body.

It also strengthens the wrist and arms.

9) ASHWA SANCHALAN ASANA:

Place your left leg forward, in between your hands, and inhale.

Keep your palms on the floor raising your chin.

Arch your back slowly without hurting yourself.

Keep breathing pattern normal. Remain in this position for some time.

Benefit: See pose 4 as well. It also exercises your spine and arms.

10) PADAHASTASANA:

Bring your left leg forward(towards your right leg) keeping your knees straight.

Touch your toes while keeping your neck relaxed.

Once you attain this posture, breathe normally.

Benefit: See pose 3. It also stretches your back and leg muscles.

11) BACK BENDING CHAKRASANA:

Bring your arms together, inhale, raise your hands and upper body and arch your back. Breathe normally once you attain this posture.

Benefit: See pose 2. It helps tone arms and shoulders

12) NAMASKAR MUDRA:

Slowly come back relaxing your body to starting posture. Exhale in this posture.

Benefit: See pose 1. It helps to improve your respiratory system and breathing pattern.

 

Surya Namaskar is a sequence of yoga poses that counter the many effects of aging.

Not only does it have physical benefits but has overall benefits like helping in the proper functioning of the nervous system, digestive system, relaxing the mind, and removing stress from the body.

SUM UP:

These 12 poses of Surya namaskar help maintain muscles, help retain flexibility and boost metabolism.

Practicing Surya namaskar either at a slow or fast pace helps with digestion, soothes the nervous system, and strengthens the heart.

Surya Namaskar helps in rejuvenating your body, removes toxins from the body making your body stress-free and energetic.

Give it a try today and enjoy the results.