You know what’s great? Rediscovering something that you’ve always known by experiencing it in a whole new way. I do this a lot. In the past couple of weeks alone I have rediscovered everything from Sriracha sauce to Christina Aguilera’s first album (don’t judge). I just get on a little kick like, “WOW. I have really underestimated this all along – its AMAZING!”. Well recently I also rediscovered Surya Namaskara, which as any yogi knows is one of the most ubiquitous sequences around. You could walk into almost any yoga studio across the country (probably the world) and you would likely see a teacher leading a class through this seemingly common sequence. But common it is not! It is AMAZING and here’s why.
It warms up the entire body. It does wonders to calm and center the mind, body and spirit. It can be meditative when done in repetition. It can even help to stave off a panic attack and settle an overactive nervous system. It just feels good!
If you feel like this is the most overdone, uninspiring sequence ever, try doing it differently than usual and see how you feel. For example, do it to music, or slow it down A LOT. Tap into what your body is feeling with each movement by performing each part on a new breath.
You may see some different variations of this but this is how I practice it:
Step 1: Start in Mountain pose / Tadasana
Step 2: Inhale. Bring your arms out wide and over your head, gaze upward.
Step 3: Exhale. Fold forward with a flat back and slightly bent knees.
Step 4: Inhale. Straighten your back and lengthen.
Step 5. Exhale. Fold.
Step 6. Inhale. Step your left leg back for low lunge.
Step 7. Exhale. Place your hands on either side of your front foot and step back to plank. Inhale.
Step 8: Exhale. Lower your body gently, in one line, to the ground.
Step 9: Inhale. Press up to cobra.
Step 10: Exhale. Push back to downward facing dog.
Step 11: Inhale. Step the left leg forward to come to a low lunge.
Step 12: Exhale. Place your hands on either side of your front foot and bring your right foot to join the left and fold.
Step 13. Inhale. Bring your arms out wide and over your head, gaze upward.
Step 14: Exhale. Bring your palms together at your heart.
Rinse and repeat as many times as you’d like!
