Surya Namaskara Asana
Surya Namaskara signifies paying homage to (Lord) Sun deity. It is a very ancient Indian system of exercise. Facing east, in the early hours of morning, one standing with serene mind offers prayer to Lord Surya with Surya Namaskara. Along with physical drill, Surya Namaskara has religious importance also.
Surya Namaskara is a graceful combined sequence of twelve positions. Through this sequence of twelve positions, the whole body is well exercised. Surya Namaskara also improves eye lustre. As a matter of fact, these twelve positions are ten different asanas, as well as two positions: the initial position and the final position. As all these exercises are simple, every one can do them easily. These twelve positions make one complete Surya Namaskara and twenty-five such Surya Namaskaras make one round.
Surya Namaskara should be practised always in an open and clean place. Do not attempt Surya Namaskara when you begin to breathe hard. Practise Surya Namaskara on one leg changi ng the leg alternately.
Below you will find the twelve positions of Surya Namaskara fully explained and illustrated. Each position has been shown with the name of the asana. The advantages of each position have been fully explained. Thus, all care has been taken to enable an aspirant with proper understanding to practise it easily.
While practising Surya Namaskara, recite the following prayer. Then recite the different names of the Sun god at each position and offer him mental obeisance.
Surya Namaskara Yoga Posture | Surya Namaskara Prasnam
Head Stand Sheershasana Pose
"Sheersha" means a head. This asana is the head-stand pose. This asana is called the king of asanas. It is also known as "Kapaliasana", "Vrukshasana" and "Viparitakarani".
Ardha Urdhva Padmasana
In this asana, Padmasana is done with the headstand (Sheershasana). There are two techniques for the perfor¬mance of this asana.
Urdhva Samyukta Padmasana Pose
This is a very useful asana. Proficiency is accomplished after some vigorous efforts. There are two techniques for the performance of this asana. Both the techniques are explained below.
Surya Namaskara Prasnam
Surya Namaskara signifies paying homage to (Lord) Sun deity. It is a very ancient Indian system of exercise. Facing east, in the early hours of morning, one standing with serene mind offers prayer to
What is Dakshasana
"Daksha" means to stand in attention. So the first position is called Dakshasana.
Paschima Namaskarasana
Namaskarasana should be practised always in an open and clean place. Do not attempt Namaskarasana when you begin to breathe hard. Practise Namaskarasana on one leg changing the leg alternately.
Parvatasana in Dandasana Yoga Posture
The body assumes the shape of a hill in this Asana hence it is named Parvatasana. This Asana has come through tradition. Its reference is not found in old texts but the tradition is very old.
Parivrtta Hasta Padasana
Assume the posi¬tion as shown in Hastapadasana. Pull the stomach inwards. Bring the other leg to its original position. Let the nose or the forehead touch the knees
Ekapadaprasaranasana Pose
Raise the trunk so that it is perpendicular to the floor and bring the left leg forward. Rest it at its original position and stretch the right leg backwards with the heels completely on the floor. Th
Bhudharasana Yoga
Place the two ankles under the scrotum on each side of perineum, the left knee on the left (side) and the right one on right (side) and, firmly holding with the hands the feet which (thus) made to tou
What is Ashtanga Pranipatasana
Retaining the breath, place the knees on the floor. Lower the chest so that it touches the ground. Let the chin touch the lower part of the throat.
Pranayama Techniques
"Pranayama" literally means "to expand Prana" (vital force). In the 49th Sutra of Sadhanapada of Patanjala Yogasutra, the great Rishi Patanjali has defined Pranayama as a process in which respiration
Practice of Moola Bandha
This is one type of pranayama yoga. Press the lower abdominal muscle with the right heel and place the left heel at the root of the genitals.
Jalandhara Bandha in Setu Bandha.
This also one type of pranayama.Jalandhar Bandha is practised at the end of in¬halation and in the beginning of retention of breath. At the end of Puraka or inhalation, it becomes" Antarika Kum¬bhak
Uddiyana Bandha Breath
This Bandha can be practised in either standing posture or sitting posture. In the standing posture, place the hands slightly above the knees. Bend the body slightly -forward.
Bhastrika Bellows
In Sanskrit, Bhastrika means "bellows". This exercise is characterized by continual exhalation of breath, producing a sound similar to a blacksmiths bellows. It is a combination of Kapalabhati and Uj
Bhramari Pranayam
The word Bhramari is derived from Bhramara which means a black bee. While practising this Pranayama, the sound produced through the nostrils resembles the buzzing of a black bee.
Plavini Method
Plavini means that which makes one swim. Plavini Pranayamaenables an aspirant to swim in water. Some skill is required for practising this Pranayama.
Moorchchha Pose
An aspirant practising this Pranayama falls into a swoon and he remains in an unconscious state. Hence this Pranayama is called "Moorchchha".
Most visited on Yoga Posture Guide
This is one of the most important asanas. Sarvangasana literally means "all parts pose". When this asana is practised, all the parts of the body are exercised. So it is called Sarvangasana.
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