Dynamic movements that stretch and strengthen the muscles.Strengthened immune system (as with any physical exercise).Increased blood circulation, which supports cardiovascular health.Some of the most notable benefits include Just like with any physical exercise, there are tremendous health benefits that come with practicing namaskar yoga. Whatever the origin, it has since found its way into every hatha yoga and ashtanga vinyasa yoga class the world over. Others say that it was only invented in the early 20th century as a yoga sequence to increase blood circulation during an invigorating asana practice. Some say that namaskar yoga served as an important ritual that was complete with bija mantras, mudras, and offerings.

That’s why the sun symbolizes the heart and the moon, which only shows a reflection of the sun’s light, symbolizes the mind.īecause the mind is only a reflection of what’s in the heart.Īs for the actual date of origin for Surya Namaskar, it’s a bit uncertain when it was first incorporated into traditional hatha yoga. While in western philosophies a lot of our knowledge and sense of self comes from the brain, the brain is only secondary to the heart in ancient yogic philosophy. In yoga, our truth and knowledge come from the heart, where our light resides.

In fact, that’s why each sequence ends with prayer pose with our hands at the heart, where we honor the light and truth within ourselves. …but this asana sequence nods to the all-knowing sun within us, as well. It’s super easy to attribute this bowing down to the sun to the life-giving energy that the sun brings to us and all other living organisms on this planet… Namaskar is Sanskrit for ‘bowing down to the sun’, which is where we get the term Sun Salutation. While Surya Namaskar yoga isn’t necessarily mentioned in ancient texts, it has long been practiced in ashtanga vinyasa yoga styles. Where Does Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) Come From?

Hatha yoga sun salutation sequence