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RE: The Significance of Surya Namaskar
When I first took yoga at age eighteen, our yoga instructor, who had studied in India, was of the traditional school that believed the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) to be much older, closer to two to three thousand years.
Here is an article from Yoga Journal that briefly discusses the debate.
Regardless of the chronological origin, Surya Namaskar is one of the practices that most quickly yields results, and I definitely felt a difference in my health and energy levels when I did it on a regular basis.
Yes, having done a few thousand rounds myself, sometimes 108 in a row in one class, having taught it to I don´t know how many students, I certainly agree about the benefits.
Okay, I've done a fair number of reps in my time, but nothing approaching 108 in a row. Respect.
What I love the most is the clarity that follows, which I've never found with any practice other than yoga, though the health benefits may be there.
But I find that too many American practitioners seem to want to make any physical practice into a competition, and I'm all about the moving meditation, so I simply don't play that game.
That's what turned me off of the Tai Chi class I took, not to mention that it screwed up my knees, and is why I've never had even a passing interest in power yoga or most Pilates classes.
I listen to my body and attempt to use its signals as my guide. I neither want nor need a drill sergeant.
I do not believe in Power Yoga and lot of other props based stunts in the name of Yoga. The Traditional yoga has a very clear rule, slow and steady pace asanas.
My take as well. I had a GREAT yoga instructor in Florida named Emily LaFountain, who was adamant about pacing it slowly, and not pushing yourself to the point of pain.
I haven't found a class I like yet in Tennessee, so at this point I'm back to doing it on my own, which I am determined to make a far more regular part of my schedule.