BENEFITS OF SURYA NAMASKAR: THE ULTIMATE ASANA
Written by Team BBSep 02, 2018Many people think that the ‘Surya Namaskar’, or the sun salutation as it is called in English, is just an exercise that strengthens your back and your muscles. But people often fail to realize that it is a complete workout for your entire physical system, one that does not require the use of any equipment. It also aids us in breaking free from the exhaustive and dull routines of our lives.
When done in the right way and at the right time, Surya Namaskar can totally change your life. It may take a little extra time to show results, but you’ll soon find your skin detoxed like never before. Regularly practicing Surya Namaskar enhances the size of your solar plexus, thereby increasing your creativity, intuitive abilities, decision-making, leadership skills and confidence.
Though Surya Namaskar can be done at any time of the day, the most appropriate and beneficial time is at sunrise since that is when the sun rays revitalize your body and freshen up your mind. Practicing it in the afternoon energizes your body instantly while performing it at dusk helps you unwind.
Sparing just 10 minutes every morning to do Surya Namaskar can bring about a lot of changes (1) in almost every aspect of your life. Below are some of the best benefits of this exercise.
Helps lose weight
Doing the Surya Namaskar at a faster pace than usual is a good cardio exercise that can help in losing weight. Its postures help in stretching your abdominal muscles causing you to shed pounds around the belly. It also helps in improving your metabolism.
It may look like a simple exercise but did you know Surya Namaskar is a full-body workout that helps burn a lot of calories. 30 minutes of Surya Namaskar can help burn 416 calories, whereas running around 414 calories, weightlifting burns around 199 calories, tennis around 232 calories, rock climbing around 364 calories, and football around 298 calories.
Glowing skin
Surya Namaskar boosts your blood circulation, giving your skin and your face its radiant glow back. It also helps in preventing wrinkles and early aging. Perform this asana everyday to get better results.
Better digestive system
Surya Namaskar helps in the smooth running of your digestive system. It increases the blood flow to your digestive tract, ensuring the better functioning of your intestines. The forward pose especially helps in increasing the abdominal space on the inside by stretching, thus helping release the trapped gas from your system.
Ensures regular menstrual cycle
Surya Namaskar also helps in better regulation of the menstrual cycle. Regularly practicing the movements of the asana also helps in easing the process of childbirth. Perform the asana everyday for getting stronger abdominal muscles and for a less-painful experience of the menstrual cycle.
Brings down blood sugar level
Regular practice of the Surya Namaskar helps keep your blood sugar in check. It also helps in keeping numerous heart diseases at bay.
Improves anxiety
If you perform the Surya Namaskar regularly, you will notice a difference not only in your physical self but also in your mental one. It helps improve memory and the functioning of the nervous system. It also helps you calm down and get rid of anxiety. It normalizes the activity of the endocrine glands and is especially beneficial to people with thyroid problems.
Helps your body detox
Surya Namaskar helps you maintain an efficient inhalation and exhalation process, with the lungs getting properly ventilated and the blood getting fresh oxygen to remain sufficiently oxygenated. This helps in detoxifying the body by getting rid of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases.
Battles insomnia
Surya Namaskar is known to improve your sleeping pattern. It helps calm your mind, giving you better and more peaceful sleep at night. This means that you can finally say goodbye to those sleeping pills once and for all.
Surya Namaskar asanas: Step-by-step
Asana 1: Pranamasana
Asana 2: Hastauttanasana
Asana 3: Padahastasana
Asana 4: Ashwa sanchalanasana
Asana 5: Parvatasana
Asana 6: Dandasana
Asana 7: Ashtanga Namaskara
Asana 8: Bhujangasana
Asana 9: Parvatasana
Asana 10: Ashwa Sanchalanasana:
Asana 11: Padahastasana:
Asana 12: Hastauttanasana
Dos and Don'ts of Surya Namaskar
Dos
- Do follow the instructions properly to maintain the correct body posture while holding the asanas.
- Do practice proper and rhythmic breathing in order to enhance the benefits of the experience.
- Do follow the steps in order as they are designed to work in a flow, breaking which may cause delayed results.
- Do practice on a daily basis in order to make your body get used to the process and in turn, get better at it.
- Do drink lots of water in order to keep you hydrated and energised through the process.
Don'ts
- Don't try to hold complicated postures for too long as it can cause injury.
- Don't jump to repetitions too quickly, gradually increase the number of cycles depending on how comfortable your body gets with the asanas.
- Don't get distracted while holding the postures as it can hinder in getting the proper results.
- Don't wear really tight or really baggy clothing that comes in the way of holding the postures. Wear comfortable outfit while practising Surya Namaskar.