Surya Namaskar translates from Sanskrit as “Salutation to the Sun”. It is a flowing sequence of
postures traditionally practiced facing the rising sun, honoring light, rhythm, and life itself. The origins
of Sun Salutations date back over 2,500 years, rooted in Vedic tradition. For ancient yogis, the sun was
not only a physical source of warmth and vitality, but also a symbol of consciousness, clarity, and the
inner self. To greet the sun at dawn was to acknowledge both the external world and the light within.
Each posture in the Sun Salutation carries symbolic meaning. The sequence unfolds in a cyclical rhythm,
mirroring the sun’s journey across the sky: rising, peaking, descending, and returning. Through repetition,
movement becomes meditation: stillness is found through motion and breath through effort.
While many variations exist, Sun Salutation A is a
foundational sequence used in Ashtanga and Vinyasa
yoga. The sequence includes:
Tadasana – Mountain Pose
Urdhva Hastasana – Upward Salute
Uttanasana – Standing Forward Fold
Ardha Uttanasana – Halfway Lift
Chaturanga Dandasana – Low Plank
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Upward-Facing Dog
Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward-Facing Dog
Why 108?
The number 108 holds deep significance across yoga, astronomy, Ayurveda, and spiritual traditions:
• The diameter of the Sun is approximately 108 times the diameter of the Earth
• The distance between the Earth and the Sun is about 108 times the Sun’s diameter
• The distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 108 times the Moon’s diameter
• The Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each with masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) aspects
• In Buddhism, there are 108 earthly temptations to overcome to reach Nirvana.
• In Ayurveda, there are 108 marma points (vital energy points) in the body, connected to nadis and
chakras.
These relationships made 108 a symbol of the connection between the human experience and the cosmos
In numerology:
1 = consciousness
0 = emptiness, potential, or wholeness
8 = infinity and continuity
Together, 108 reflects the completeness of existence: The cycle of beginning, dissolution, and renewal.
Traditionally, 108 Sun Salutations are practiced during transitions; seasonal shifts, solstices, New Year
moments, or personal milestones. They mark completion and the opening of a new cycle.
Emotionally and energetically, repetition can create a sense of release, catharsis, and renewal.
S odifications are welcome:
tart with:
M
• Grounding & intention
• Drop knees in Chaturanga
• Move through 3-5 rounds of Cat-Cow
• Choose Cobra instead of Upward-Facing Dog
• Pause in Downward-Facing Dog
• Take breaks in Child’s Pose whenever needed
• Take a few breaths in Cobra Pose
Keep in mind: This practice is not about perfection. It is about