Surya Namaskar the right way..?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Is there a right way to do this series.?

I was shown one way by my teacher, (i’m sorry but I don’t really know the correct posture names yet) but anyway… you do the prayer pose, then the bend double pose, then the RIGHT leg goes back into the lunge pose…

but looking it up on the net some people make the left leg go back first and then omit going into other poses and so on, which has left me a bit confused.

Does it matter which way you do it.? left leg back first vs right leg back first & etc…and what is the right way if there is one.?

thanks.:slight_smile:

#2

As I understand it there are 17 or 18 versions of Surya Namaskar. There is no one “right” way. There are different ways. And a skilled teacher can (and perhaps should) give you an idea of the effects of doing it this way or that way.

#3

Namaste,

I agree with IA, I would like to add the following, it is important if you are new to yoga to trust your teacher and to stick to what they say and teach you, this is called discipline and it forms an important part of your yoga practice.

If you do not trust your teacher, then I would recommend that you find another teacher. The internet can be a good teacher just as it can be a bad teacher and one should not always belief everything you read on the net. Remember, each site brings to it the beliefs, philosophies and theories of that specific author, always first compare it to what your teacher teaches and if in doubt ask your teacher, he/she will be able help you as well.

Good luck, enjoy the journey that you are on and trust that your teacher will do his/her best to safely guide you through it.

#4

thanks, I trust my teacher she seems to know her stuff well.

I’m just intrigued by all the variations on a single theme.

#5

Hello Saturday Sun,

Yes there are too many variations of sun salutation, but the fundamental in each is the same, that is to connect your breathing to what you’re doing, which is sometimes difficult to understand from a book.

Make sure to initiate both the transition and the breath together. Also to allow the rate of inhalation/exhalation to match the speed of your movement. For example, I see many people exert a transition holding their breath, then inhalaing after reaching the next position or somewhere on their way to it, or inhaling first and holding it prior to initiating transition to the the next position, then exhaling after getting there. Both defeat the purpose.

Try to make both the connections and the rates as seamless as possible. Also to reach full exhalation before initiating with inhalation again is very important.

Good luck,

Emil

#6

It sounds as though the bent leg position you are referring to is Surya Namaskara B.In our class our teacher usually has us start all positions using our right leg, only so that the class is “in synch” if you will.
Peace,
Callie