The Sun God is the primary source of energy on the earth. Since time immemorial, its worshipped for gaining health and endurance.
Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar Yoga is a set of 12 sequenced Yoga asanas dedicated to the Hindu solar deity Surya. It is considered a full-body workout regimen that has some exceptional health benefits.
What are the health benefits of Sun Namaskar?
There are numerous benefits of Surya Namaskar poses. Some of them include:
- It involves the complete body from head to toe – the powerful Yoga poses impact the heart, liver, intestine, stomach, chest, throat, and legs.
- The Yoga poses involved in it regulate bowel movements.
- It helps to improve the nervous system.
- If done at a fast pace, it regulates the cardiovascular system.
- While chanting mantras and doing it relaxes muscles.
- It can also be practiced as a form of meditation.
- Regularly doing it improves body flexibility and prepares you for more intense Yoga sessions.
- Most importantly, it balances the three constitutions – Kapha, Pitta, and Vata.
Surya Namaskar for weight loss
There is a direct relationship between Surya Namaskar and weight loss. It is a complete body workout for weight loss, recommended by Yoga trainers.
There are a total of 12 poses in Surya Namaskar Asanas:
- Pranamasana (Prayer pose)
- Hasta Uttanasana (Raised arms pose)
- Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend)
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
- Dandasana (Stick pose)
- Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute with eight parts or points)
- Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose)
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
- Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend)
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
According to Yoga experts, doing 12 sets of Surya Namaskar translates into doing 288 powerful Yoga poses in just 15 minutes.
Let us explain it to you. One set consists of two rounds of Surya Namaskar, each targeting specific sides of the body. The first set involves stretching the right side and then the left one. When you do 12 sets of Sun Salutation, you are doing 12x12x2 (288) Yoga poses. Thus, it helps in calorie burning and weight loss.
Surya Namaskar for beginners
According to reports, one round of Surya Namaskar burns up to 13.90 calories for an average weighing person. By knowing this number, you can plan your rounds of Surya Namaskar. However, it is not advisable to start with multiple sets as a beginner.
For the first few days, perfect all the poses involved, and gradually keep increasing the number of rounds without straining yourself. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of Surya namaskar to 108. After reaching this goal, you would surely be a few pounds lighter.
If you want to learn Surya Namaskar Yoga, you can connect with Anjana Yoga for Yoga classes in North Carolina, known for the best Yoga classes in NC.