Good morning sun

I just did my very first set of at-home sun salutations and I sincerely hope I have the discipline to make it a daily practice.

For one thing, it only took about five minutes. And for another thing, I feel amazing!

Equally amazing is that in all my years of yoga, it was not until Friday night that I actually learned how to salute the sun. Sun salutations are some of the most common vinyasa sequences and have been around for thousands of years. That, or they were developed by the British military in the late 19th century. (I have been taught two completely different things about the origins. I plan to do some research of my own to get a better sense of the history; I’m sure both teachers are right, somehow.)

Regardless of how they came into use, sun salutations are about as succinct as a yoga sequence can be. They string together a combination of poses and counterposes that efficiently stretch your entire spine and all the major muscle groups as well. The one I learned is also extremely easy–it doesn’t even involve a lower push-up (also called chaturanga). So not only does this exercise not require a warm-up, it IS a warm-up. I can roll out of bed, roll out my mat, and get moving. And even if I go creaky and slow during my first set, by the third round, I’m feeling smooth and alive.

Everyone should stretch every morning. I really believe this, and yet I almost never do it. But the sun salutation provides a structured, concise practice that has benefits far beyond what I currently understand, and I look forward to exploring it further and making it a part of my daily life.

Rise and shine, indeed!