Surya Namaskara

As mentioned in my most recent, and final, "Good For You!" column in The Citizen (my local newspaper), a major component of my work at SVYM has been creating a calendar promoting the use of Surya Namaskara, a series of yoga postures that we would call "the Sun Salutation."

Surya Namaskara is a series of 12 postures that are to be practiced seamlessly, with each posture being held for roughly 30 seconds.  Ideally, the complete series should be performed 5-12 times, early in the morning (yes, before the sun rises).  It is believed that the best results are achieved if performed on an empty stomach and after using the washroom.  Ease yourself into the postures.  If there is one that you are unable to complete initially, just go as deeply into the posture as possible.  Build up your strength, flexibility and stamina gradually so as to avoid muscle strain or injury.  To ensure that you learn the postures correctly, I would recommend using a yoga class, or yoga video (even youtube would work).

Credit: http://psyfraggle.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/suryanamaskar.jpg

  

Surya Namaskara is beneficial for helping healthy people to stay healthy and to increase strength and fitness, but also helps to alleviate and prevent illness and disease.  It improves overall health and sense of wellbeing.  Specifically, regular practice of Surya Namaskara is beneficial for people afflicted with:

• Mental health problems (ex. anxiety disorders, depression)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Insomnia and sleep-related disorders
• Digestive problems (ex. constipation, dyspepsia)
• Reproductive health problems (especially women)
• Diabetes
• Arthritis and joint-pain
• Lung problems (ex. asthma)
• Skin disorders   

However, if you have hypertension, severe back pain/injury or are pregnant, you should avoid Surya Namaskara.