Does a Sun Salutation vary between styles of Yoga?
Or is it different from teacher to teacher?
Or is this just a stupid question?
Not a stupid question. I have also noticed variations on the sun salutations based on the yoga styles. Maybe someone on the forum can expand on what those variations are, and why they exist.
Surya Namaskara is one of the oldest asanas which were part of a routine every Hindu was expected to follow.
The beauty of this routine is not just that it is a serialized sequence of 12 asanas, but the fact that one can do them as a physical exercise or take it a lot deeper to the astral level. However, that has also made it possible for different Yoga styles to modify certain parts on the physical plane. But genuinely speaking, there is no need why it has to change either from style to style or teacher to teacher.
Hope, you have checked this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Namaskara
There are variations depending on the teacher and style. I’ve gone to classes where the teacher has said let’s do a set of Surya Namaskar and it is totally different than the few ashtanga classes I’ve been to. I really think there is so much branding of styles of yoga it all gets blended. I’m not one for routine, so Ashtanga has not been my cup of tea. I love power yoga which is basically Ashtanga without a set sequence and more room to be playful, which I enjoy.
But Surya Namaskar is beautiful to watch when there is a room full of people. In Ashtanga tradition it is:
Tadasana hands in namaste
Hasta Uttanasana
Uttanasana (forward bend hand to foot)
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Ashtanga Namaskar (8 point with salute)
Bhujangasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Ashwa Sanchalanasana
Uttanasana
Hasta Uttanasana
Tadasana hands in namaste
And then repeat other side.
This is how I was taught by my Hindu teacher.
I have also seen it taught:
Tadasana
Hasta Uttanasana
Uttanasana
Plank
Chatturanga
Upward dog
Downward dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Hasta Uttanasana
Tadasana
And then several other variations. I honestly think some just make up what they want!
And Yulaw, there is no such thing as a silly question. It was a good question. Hope I helped answer it.
There are 17 or 18 versions of Surya Namaskar.
[U]FlexPenguin[/U]
So it’s not only me 
Thank You
[U]Suhas Tambe[/U]
I did not know it was one of the oldest asana either and I had seen the link before but I will admit I did not read it in its entirety… but I will now
Thank You
[U]Lotusgirl[/U]
It was my history in Power yoga that got me thinking about this. I did Power Yoga years ago and I was doing the sun salutation my last teacher taught me, and she called it Hatha Yoga (but her background and certifications are in Iyengar Yoga and Integral Yoga) when I realized they were not the same.
Thank You
[U]InnerAthlete[/U]
17 or 18 versions of Surya Namaskara…whoa.
I did not think there would be that many variations but now that I do actually think about it, based on the answers I am getting and the number of styles out there, I am not surprised
Thank You
17 or 18 variations plus the ones that teachers label Surya Namaskar that only have a vague resemblance to the 17 or 18! lol
I can’t speak to those:-) I teach the classical version and that seems to meet needs so I leave it at that. In the classical version all the movement is in the mid-sagital plane. That is to say there is no sideways movement. The alternation of action between forward and backward seems to have a powerful effect. How sideways got into it and why I’ll leave to scholars and petty thieves.
[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;46629]I can’t speak to those:-) I teach the classical version and that seems to meet needs so I leave it at that. In the classical version all the movement is in the mid-sagital plane. That is to say there is no sideways movement. The alternation of action between forward and backward seems to have a powerful effect. How sideways got into it and why I’ll leave to scholars and petty thieves.[/QUOTE]
If I understand mid-sagital plane…and I might not…this is the way I was last taught.
It is actually more accurate to say “sagital” plane. My apologies. The mid-sagital plane runs right down the bridge of the nose, dividing the body into two “equal” halves.
18 versions
[U]my secret buddha version[/U]
If you know full details of this mystery by the time you are done with the first set you are a buddha.
Fully enlightened. Conqueror.
I have experianced not only variations, but from the general to a majorly detailed direction. I took off the page a Surya Namaskar A (with 9 points) and a B (17 points). This helps me know in general where a teacher is basically going. I also use this knowledge for my private practice in getting into a consistant harmony with me- self 
There a difference between alteration to the sequence and deepening the teaching of it as it currently exists.