Spring time storms in the shape of a devastating pandemic have swept across our world. As we struggle to come to terms with the changes to our daily lives, loss of loved ones, and a sense of impending doom, standing firm in our stability and grounded in our foundations whilst remaining positive presents an ever greater challenge.
Lifting up our hearts to gaze at the pink super moon at night, and the glorious sun during the day, supports us as we seek security, build resilience and move forward through our practice.
Surya namaskarasana or sun salutations in the morning facing the rising sun helps us to connect to light, hope and optimism - physically, energetically and emotionally rooting to rise.
As you move with your breath, you are invited to chant with each of the 12 poses in classical sun salutation sequence - you may add to your practice by visualising the wheels or vortex of energy, chakras, associated with each of the yogasana in the sequence.
Enhancing your sun salutations with breath, mantra and/or chakra activation creates a moving meditation as you honour the qualities of the Surya, life force energy of the sun. Surya is also known as the deity, Lord Aditya - 'Aditya havai prano', the sun is prana - cosmic energy.
The mantra originates from the Aditya Hridayam Maha Stotram, sacred prayer to the sun which resides in the heart, a poem by Rama in Valmiki Ramayana (Yudha Kaanda).
1. Om Mitraya Namah
One who is friendly to all
I bow to the protector of love and friendship
Tadasana w/pranamasana ~ standing mountain w/prayer
Anahata ~ heart centre
2. Om Ravaye Namah
The shining, radiant one
I bow to the giver of vital prana (Ravi = pingala)
Urdhva Hastasana ~ upward salute /raised hands
Vishuddha ~ throat space
3. Om Suryaya Namah
One who is the dispeller of darkness, and induces activity
I bow to the radiant sun, giver of vitality and abundance
Uttanasana ~ standing forward fold
Svadhisthana ~ pelvic space
4. Om Bhanave Namah
One whose brightness illuminates earth
I bow to the lustrous sun, giver of light and intelligence
Ashwa Sanchalasana / Chetakasana ~ low lunge / equestrian pose
Ajna ~ eyebrow centre
5. Om Khagaya Namah
One who is all-pervading and who moves through the sky (bird of the skies)
I bow to the soaring sun
Chaturanga Dandasana ~ plank/body parallel
Vishuddha ~ throat space
6. Om Pushne Namah
Giver of nourishment, strength and health
I bow to the nurturing sun
Ashtangasana / Asavakrasana ~ eight limbed pose
Manipura ~ navel centre
7. Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah
One who is the golden seed of creativity
Bhujangasana ~ cobra
Svadhisthana ~ pelvic centre
8. Om Marichaye Namah
Giver of light with infinite number of rays
I bow to the sun of motion and movement
Parvatasana ~ mountain
Vishuddha ~ throat space
9. Om Adityaya Namah
The son of Aditi, the cosmic divine Mother
I bow to the perfect and pure sun
Ashwa Sanchalasana / Chetakasana ~ low lunge / equestrian pose
Ajna ~ eyebrow centre
10. Om Savitre Namah
One who is responsible for life, enlightenment and creation
I bow to the sun, giver of life and light
Uttanasana ~ standing forward fold
Svadhisthana ~ pelvic space
11. Om Arkaya Namah
One worthy of praise, joy and gratitude
I bow to the sun, the flash of lightning that heals
Urdhva Hastasana ~ upward salute /raised hands
Vishuddha ~ throat space
12. Om Bhaskaraya Namah
Giver of wisdom, knowledge and cosmic illumination
I bow to the sun, the maker of expansive light
Tadasana w/pranamasana ~ standing mountain w/prayer
Anahata ~ heart centre
Om Shri Savitre Suryanarayanaya Namaha
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti