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Sooryanamaskar:
This aasana (exercise) is performed at sun-rise and starts
with a salutation to Sun God,
Sooryanamaskar (standing) posture:
Standing errect, without a bend anywhere near knees or spinal cord,
close your hands in Namaskar posture.
Press the hands against each other tightly. The thumbs are together
and are made to press into the chest.
Widen the shoulders and the lower part of the hands are
parallel to the ground.
Mantra and Sooryanamaskar:
A Mantra is useful in achieving concentration. It is for the same
reason, a mantra is uttered before a
Sooryanamaskar.
Mantras:
The mantras are
Om mitraaya namah
Om ravaye namah
Om sooryaya namah
Om bhaanave namah
Om khagaaya namah
Om pooshne namah
Om hiraNya garbhaaya namah
Om mareechaye namah
Om aadityaaya namah
Om savitre namah
Om arkaaya namah
Om bhaaskaraya namah
Om sri savitra soorya narayaNaaya
namah |
Postures and breathing pattern:
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Posture 0:
Breathe normally.
Namaskaarasana:
Hands in a namaskar posture, wi th thumbs of hands
essing hard into the chest . The lower part of the hands should be parallel to the earth.
This is a good exercise to practice how to stand properly. The weight of the body is
equally distributed to both the feet. The sagging stomach muscles are pulled in and
supported by the upper body. Hence a good exercise
for the stomach muscles. |
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Posture 1:
Inhale.
Urdhva namaskaarasana:
Palms of both hands are joined, and slowly pulled up with
the hands
endng up to the sides of the ears, body is bent backwards, with
eyes looking towards the hands.
If you cannot hold palms together, open them but tie the
palms with the thumb fingers. This activates the front portion of the body from toes to
forehead. This posture is very good for upper and lower back. Hip muscles become stronger
, chest becomes wider. Blood circulation increases to the head and hands. |
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Posture 2:
Exhale.
Adharaasana or Uttanaasana:
The body is bent do wn, with
hands stretched down to touch the ground. Ideally the entire palm is supposed to
rest on the ground, with the head touching the knee bones. This activates the
back of the body from heels to head. This is good on the stomach muscles, arms and knee
muscles. |
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Posture 3:
Inhale.
Eka paada prasaraNa aasana (One leg behind):
One leg goes behind and body
gets lowered. The two palms will be rested on the ground, the knee of the leg which goes
behind touches the ground .
The head looks up. Complete exercise to both the legs, lower back
and chest. |
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Posture 4:
Exhale.
Dwi paada prasaraNa aasana or chaturanga danDaasana
(Both legs behind):
Second leg joins the first leg
with both feet joined (press them to one another), body in a inclined plane. In this
posture, only the two hands (palms) and the finers of the legs touch the ground. The head
of the body should be at a higher plane and the les will be in a downward slope. The head
will be looking straight and focus the eyes to 10 feet in front of the body. Remain in
this posture for 15 seconds. Streches the complete body thus activating the blood
circulation. |
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Posture 5:
Exhale and hold.
Ashtaanga namaskaraasana:
The body is lowered to touch the ground at the forehead, chest and
the knees. The rest of the body will be up in the air supported by the forehead, chest and
knee. Remain in this posture for 5 seconds. Exercises the back, shoulder and chest
muscles. |
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Posture 6:
Inhale.
Bhujangaasana or Urdhva mukha shvaanaasana:
From posture 5, pull the body forward with the hands (palms) on
the ground and feet touching the ground. The body should be in a curved towards the
ground. Excellent for the lower back, shoulders, neck, chest and abdomen. Wrists also get
their share. |
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Posture 7:
Exhale.
Adho mukha shvaanaasana:
Pull the body inward, with palms and feet firmly on the ground.
Press
the feet so that, the heels touch the ground. Don't bend the
knees. Extend the spinal-cord to the maximum. Pull the stomach in. Expand the
c
hest, while pushing the shoulders back. While pushing the head in,
try touching the chin to the chest. The body will look like a hill, pointing up towards
the sky. Good for feet, calf muscles, thighs, hips, back and neck. Energizes the
limbs - best for athletes, they say. |
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Posture 8:
Inhale.
Eka paada prasaraNa aasana:
same as Posture 3. |
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Posture 9:
Exhale.
Adharaasana or Uttanaasana:
same as Posture 2. |
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Posture 10:
Inhale.
Namaskaaraasana:
same as Posture 0. |
Frequency of Sooryanamaskars:
There are thirteen mantras and one can perform
thirteen OR whatever one can
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