Sun Salutation | Great Gama Protocol

“The sun is a daily reminder that we too can rise again from the darkness, that we too can shine our own light.” – S. Ajna

Surya namaskar literally means “Salutation to to the sun” and it is one of the most popular exercise sets out there - easy to learn, easy to do, and delivering multiple benefits.

Joseph S. Alter writes in his excellent book "The Wrestler’s Body" (1992) that while “…based on formal yogic principles, Surya namaskar also serves to develop physical strength.”

Alter continues:

"Surya namaskars are more popular among older men than among young wrestlers. While they strengthen the body, they do not strain the muscles, bones, and organs of the body. Surya namaskars are not vigorous, and senior wrestlers practice them in order to maintain their physique and stature. In any case, surya namaskars are clearly associated with physical strength and muscular prowess. Shivaji’s guru, Samarath Ramdas, was said to perform 1,200 surya namaskars every day.
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With regard to wrestling discipline, surya namaskar is important insofar as it represents the formal synthesis of yoga and vyayam [physical training, not P.M.]. This synthesis is implicit in many of the exercises which wrestlers do. As we shall see, the combination of dands and bethaks echoes the basic movement of surya namaskar.
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This exercise particularly brings into play digestive organs, heart muscles, lungs and the whole muscular system and strengthens the entire body-frame. The whole body-system is regulated like a clock and persons indulging in this sort of exercise enjoy sound health without any fear of deterioration throughout life."

>>> To learn the wrestler's version of Surya Namaskar, please check out my Great Gama Protocol online course http://bit.ly/greatgama

“Yoga adds years to your life, and life to your years.”

#yoga #sunsalutation #suryanamaskar