This beautiful rendition of the classic Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) was created by Inne Choi and can be found here.

Morning is always a hectic time for me as a mom. Force my body out of bed, get showered and dressed- get the kiddos up, washed, and changed. Make breakfast. Try and make them eat it. Grab a little something for myself and we’re out the door.

Morning is also the perfect time for me to get in a little exercise to help prepare my mind and body for the day ahead. After much trial and error deciding on a rise and shine, “get fit fast” routine, I’ve finally found (and fallen in love with) Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation.

Sun Salutation consists of a beautiful set of asanas that massages, detoxifies, and stimulates almost every organ of the human body and brings suppleness to the spine. It is a wonderful way to warm up and stretch at the same time. 

In just ten minutes, your body gets a comprehensive and systematic workout. No other exercise routine can surpass it. It makes the body strong, supple and flexible and tones every part of the body. The back is bent and straightened, the abdomen is compressed and stretched, it loosens up all joints, flexes the muscles, massaging internal organs, and activates all the systems of the body.

Sun Salutations are a series of 12 postures, linked by the breath, in one single flow:

1. Stand with both feet touching. Bring your hands together, palm to palm, at the heart. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed. Exhale.
2. Raise your arms upward. Slowly bend backward, stretching arms above the head. Relax your neck. Inhale.
3. Exhale while you slowly bend forward until your hands are in line with your feet, touching your head to your knees, if possible. Press your palms down, fingertips in line with toes (bend your knees if you have to), and touch the floor.
4. Move your right leg back behind your body in a wide lunge. As you inhale, keep your hands and feet on the ground, with your left foot between your hands, and raise your head.
5. Bring your left foot together with your right foot.
6. Exhale as you lower your body, resting on your forearms.
7. As you inhale, lower your pelvis to the ground and raise your head and bend backward as far as possible, while straightening your arms.
8. Putting your hand on the ground and keeping your arms straight, raise your hips and align your head with your arms. Exhale.
9. Slowly inhale and bend your right leg to take a wide forward step. Keeping your hands firmly on the ground, place your right foot between your hands and lift your head up.
10. Keeping your hands in place, bring both feet together. Straighten your legs but keep your waist bent and upper body lowered. Touch your head to your knees, if possible. Exhale.
11. Slowly rise, straightening your back into a standing pose. Bend backward, stretching your arms above your head as you inhale.
12. Return to position number 1. Exhale.

Remember to decide how many Sun Salutations you do and how fast you do them by listening to your body. If you’re a beginner, start by doing two: one for health and one for well-being! As you advance, start your morning by doing three and building from there. Side note: I also incorporate Sun Salutations into my day whenever I’m feeling tired or stressed.

Salute the sun and your health every morning.

dr. lisa