This initiatory series of postures known as the Sun Salutations are an opening into the heart of yoga’s physical and spiritual lineage. On a physical level these series of movements mean to ignite the inner fire of purification, known as agni in Sanskrit. When the agni is kindled the posture and breath combine to cleanse the body of toxins and the mind of unhealthy thoughts. Only with the inner solar fire lit is yoga really working its magic of transformation. Performing a series of Surya Namaskara is meant to stimulate the cardiovascular system, warm up the muscles and joints and direct the mind’s focus internally.
There are two variations of the Surya Namaskara in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, Surya Namaskara A & Surya Namaskara B. The A series is easier than the B and when taken together five rounds of each can be considered to constitute a full yoga practice. Traditional Hatha Yoga recommends the practice of the Sun Salutation either before the dawn or as close to sunrise as possible while facing East. Since yoga uses breathing, postures and gaze to unify and stabilize the body and mind the best time to perform the Surya Namaskara as well as all yoga postures is early in the morning, before breakfast and the busyness of life begin. The mind is calmer before daily activities commence, the body is in a residually pure state after the night’s sleep and the air is clean from the trees oxygenating it over night with their cellular respiration that turns carbon monoxide into oxygen.
The timing of daily physical practice is also a recognition of the solar centric universe of India’s past. The great sages, known as Rishis, in the tradition of yoga placed the sun’s magnificent presence at the center of their understanding of the cosmos. Every Surya Namaskara is a greeting to the constant solar cycle that gives life to the Earth and its inhabitants. However the symbolism of the Surya element of the practice does not stop at the mere physical manifestation of the sun. Instead Surya is also a metaphor for the inner luminosity acquired by accomplished yoga practitioners. Every Surya Namaskara is a prayer for the practitioner to develop the inner glow of spiritual realization.
While the inner fire of purification creates the perfect groundwork for toxins and impurities of the body and mind to be removed, this cleansing work is balanced by a sattvic or peaceful attitude. Hatha Yoga aims to restore health and balance in the body and even the Surya Namaskara demands practitioners to be both strong and flexible. In doing so the solar and lunar aspects of the body and mind become balanced.