108 SUN SALUTATIONS - on January 1st, 2007 at 2 pm

At the Suryasakti yoga studio in Beijing we will have an approximately 2 hour gathering where we will perform 108 Sun Salutations. The Sun Salutations are modeled on the Ashtanga Vinyasa salutes of 9 breaths each (adhomukasvanasana is not held 5 breaths, unless you wish so to rest a little and catch a breath). This event usually takes place on the days of the equinoxes and the solstices, and many studios perform it on the New Year's Day. it's a wonderful way to welcome the new season and a new year. Please note that we encourage you not to overdo it, and as soon as you've done enough salutes you can just rest and/or meditate. What is a Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara)? "The notion of a salutation to the sun is to pay your respects and surrender to the universe. This can be taken as a metaphor to let go physically - the mind follows as you move 'inside' the practice." It is often said that Surya Namaskara contains the entire practice within it. But what does that mean? If you examine which postures make up the sun salutations, you get a wide range of movements: forward bend, back bend, being still, lengthening the spine, grounding the feet, strengthening the upper body, stretching the hamstrings, expanding the lungs and more. That is why Surya Namaskara is the ideal way to warm the body at the beginning of a yoga practice. Even if you do not intend to practice yoga, the sun salutation is a great way to start the day, as it also works on the mind. By hearing the breath, holding the gaze (dristi), these movements allow us to center ourselves and to quiet our wandering mind. The sun salutation is one of the most effective way to learn about the vinyasa, binding the breath to the movement. Every movement has a breath associated with it, an inhale when going up, and exhale when going down or constricting the lungs. Sometimes it takes years to be able to fully breathe through every movement of Surya Namaskara, but it is well worth it. Doing the Sun Salutations regularly will transform your yoga practice, your outlook on life and yourself. Why do 108 Sun Salutations? We do 108 sun salutations four times a year at the change of the seasons. This is also a great way to start a new year with all your resolutions you test your stamina and faith. The salutations are usually accompanied by chanting. There are many reasons for the Hindu and Buddhist belief in the sacredness of the number 108. Originally there were 54 sounds in the Sanskrit alphabet. Double 54 and you get 108, which is also the number of beads in the mala (meditation prayer beads). There are 108 Upanishads, the sacred Vedic texts. 108 is also 9 times 12, two propitious numbers in Indian culture.

Sun Salutation from the John Scott book