“… let me repeat that no asana practice is complete without sun worship. Without its focusing of mental energies, yoga practice amounts to little more than gymnastics and, as such, loses meaning and proves fruitless. Indeed the Surya Namaskara should never be mistaken for mere physical excersize –for something incidental, that is, that simply precedes the asanas of yoga. Therefore, it is necessary, before beginning the sun salutations, to pray to Surya [...] to bestow upon us the good fortune of having only good thoughts, of hearing and speaking only good words, and of attaining a sound and strong body, so that we may have a long life and, one day, achieve oneness with God.” -Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, “Suryanamskara”
Surya Namaskar A was what led me to originally fall in love with yoga. At the time, I didn't know what I was doing had a name or a purpose. I only knew the flow, the breath, the power, the energy and the life I felt moving through these shapes, through this sequence. Try it and see how it feels. Let me know what you think. xoxo
