Insights on Surya Namaskar from its origin to application towards health.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 13 (2022) 100530

Suryanamaskar is considered a part of modern-day yogic practices though it was neither considered an asana nor a part of traditional Yoga. Practicing Suryanamaskar before beginning routine activities vitalizes the practitioner and gives a completely energized day. Starting from the Raja of Aundh who first introduced surya namaskar, there is a line of eminent people who popularized this dynamic group of asanas including T Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda, Swami Satyananda from Bihar school of Yoga, so on and so forth. Their contributions resulted in this excellent series of Asanas being introduced to the practitioners. Such a miraculous group of postures also involves dynamic breathing patterns at each posture and gives a form of complete practice involving asanas and pranayama. There are a total of 12 postures in Suryanamaskar practice and 24 steps in one round. This is in the form of salutation to the “Sun” along with chanting the twelve names of the sun god. In this review, we accentuate the importance of Suryanamaskar highlighting its effects on physical, psychological and physiological aspects of the body based on published research. In addition, the usefulness of surya namaskar as one complete sadhana for the whole body is emphasized.

Suryanamaskar practice is the most widely adopted sequence of asanas which has its origin from Indian traditional physical training. It also has lots of variations regarding different yogic tra- ditions of India in the modern era. The review presents the physical benefits of the practice with regards to the increasing mobility of joints, extending muscle power, and vitality with the literature reference. The physiological attributes of improving the metabolic rate, cardiovascular stimulation, and increase of respiratory ca- pacity, improvement of mental health of the body, and proper functioning of endocrine glands were also discussed. Highlighting the yogic point of view of the benefits of Suryanamaskar practice, the positive effects of Suryanamaskar on puberty, menstrual cycle, and childbirth were also emphasized. We conclude from the above points that the practice of Suryanamaskar is necessary not just for those who are regular yogic practitioners or spiritual seekers but for a common man, to maintain the physical, physiological, and mental health by spending very little time of their choice. If this practice is initiated to children at the age of 7 or 8 it helps grow better not only physically but also with great mental health. We propose that Suryanamaskar practice could be a group activity of the family to ensure total family health. Suryanamaskar is a boon for those who want to involve in yogic practices but yet not dedicate even an hour every day.