SALUTATION TO THE SUN (SURYANAMASKAR) SUNSALA2.TXT ********************************************************************** SALUTATION TO THE SUN IS A "ROUND OF EXERCISES/STRETCHES WHICH KEEP ALL PARTS OF THE BODY IN "SHAPE". The Asanas (THE POSITIONS THE BODY IS PLACED IN) are described along with the appropriate breathing. ASANAS: 1. Stand with spine straight, feet close together, palms together in Anjali mudra ("Namaste" gesture), face turned slightly upward. Inhale. Exhale. 2. Inhale as you bring arms upward, in a "V" around your head. Stretch backward, arching back as far as is comfortable with abdominal & buttock muscles contracted. 3. Exhale as you bend forward, keeping head between arms. Keep your knees straight, bend from the waist. Palms on floor to sides of feet. Relax neck and shoulders (if you can't stretch all the way forward at first, as far as you're able). 4. Inhale. Bend knees, lift head so that chin points toward ceiling. Stretch your right leg back, right knee on the floor, palms flat on either side of left foot. 5. *Retain* the breath, as you stretch your left leg back. Toes on floor, legs and body straight--similar to a "push-up" position. 6. Lower body to the floor. Contract abs and raise stomach-- your forehead, chest, knees and toes will be in contact with the floor. Exhale. 7. Inhale up into bhujangasana--Cobra posture. Palms flat on floor, elbows slightly bent, chin pointing upward, spine arched as far as comfortable. 8. Exhale as you lock chin to chest and rise up with palms and feet flat on the floor, bent at hip--your body and the floor form a shape similar to a triangle. 9. Inhale, bend knees, stretch right leg back so that right knee and toes are on floor (similar to #4, but opposite leg). Palms flat on either side of left foot, chin pointing upward. 10. Exhale as you bring right leg forward. Feet together, palms flat on either side of feet. Straighten legs so that you're bent from the hip as in #3. Relax neck and shoulders. 11. Inhale, straighten body, keeping arms in "V" around head. Stretch up and arch back, as in #2. 12. Exhale. Straighten spine. Bring palms together in Namaste.