Many cultures, especially Hindu, regard the sun as the giver of life and a spiritual center. Honoring this spiritual force, many yogis start and end their day with sun salutation poses. I am one such yogi.

However, as with all facets of my personal yoga and meditation practice, I have customized this ritual to meet my own needs and desires. For me it’s not so much about honoring the sun as a spiritual guide, but honoring myself and my intentions for my day and for my life.

For me starting and ending the day with sun salutations allow me to honor myself and the day to come. It allows me the time to reflect on my attitude and role that I play in what does or does not happen in the day that lies ahead and allows me to meditate, pray and recite my intentions for that day as my sun salutations flow. This ritual allows me the time to focus on the mind-body-spirit connection as I sync my breath with my movements. Performing the poses that make up sun salutations allows me to awaken slowly and feel my physical strength come to life as my blood begins to flow and my muscles begin to stretch.

Conversely, at the end of the day I am able to release the stress of the day and come back to center with myself.

And if truth be told there are many days when no other form of “exercise” makes it into my day… and on those days …I am pretty happy that at least I have included and indulged in just a bit of yoga.

Sun Salutations deliver the following benefits:

• Reduces/relieves stiffness – Increases flexibility
• Provides refreshing energy for the mind, soul and body
• Improves posture
• Increases blood circulation
• Helps with sleeping problems/restlessness
• Reduces stress
• Improves digestion, respiratory and the nervous systems

Enjoy a Sun Salutation today!