Sun Salutations, a foundational sequence in hatha yoga, function as a rhythmic, breath-linked movement cycle that serves as a symbolic reminder of one’s place in the universe.
Recently resurfaced from the 1990 archives of Yoga Journal, the practice is described as a “sacred mantra for the body” that allows practitioners to reestablish a connection to natural cycles.
The practice, also known as Suryanamaskar, uses movements of expansion and surrender to honor life. According to the article, many people living in urban environments have become disconnected from the rhythms of the natural world, such as the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. By performing these movements as one continuous, flowing motion, practitioners can foster a sense of inner stillness and recognize how life expresses itself through them.
While traditional hatha yoga systems often dictate specific breathing patterns for the sequence, the text notes that these instructions are meant as suggestions rather than rigid rules. Typically, expanding or rising movements are paired with inhalation, while folding or descending movements are paired with exhalation. However, practitioners are encouraged to explore their own breath patterns.
“In my personal practice, however, I’ve found it much more exciting to explore what happens when I stop giving the body orders about when to breathe, then watch how the breath pattern arises spontaneously out of the body’s innate intelligence.”
The guide suggests that at the beginning of a session, individuals may choose to spend more time in each position to warm the body, gradually reducing the duration as the cycles progress. By experimenting with these movements and breathing patterns, practitioners can find what feels most comfortable for their own bodies.
