Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is a series of multiple yoga asanas, intended to pay tribute to the sun. The sun salutation is the heart of yoga practice, and everyone who practices yoga must comprehend it. Therefore, it is a crucial part of a yoga course in India.
A holistic asana practice is incomplete without Surya Namaskar; therefore, students joining yoga schools would begin their mornings with it. This sequence of postures not only offers a quick warm-up but also powerful strength training to the students. Hence, the objective is not only to learn it as a part of the course, but to make it a significant routine of the yogic lifestyle.
Surya Namaskar is a synthesis of movement, breathing modulations, and devotion that embraces the energy of the sun. Hence, it plays an essential role in the life of the practitioner, as a student and afterward. So, let’s understand this role in-depth in the section that follows.
Role of Learning Surya Namaskar in a Yoga Course in India
Surya Namaskar is a universal fitness technique that people of different ages practice. Incorporating this technique in the yoga course’s curriculum is essential for many reasons, as explained below.
Works as a Wholesome Workout for the Body
The sun salutation is a complete workout for the body, as it strengthens, tones, and makes it flexible. Each pose is dedicated to stretching and engaging the body muscles; hence, the entire sequence helps in relieving body pains, correcting postures, and building stamina when practiced regularly.
Helps Develop Daily Routine & Discipline
Since Surya Namaskar is best practiced at the time of sunrise, students, as a part of the curriculum and yogic lifestyle, wake up before dawn and reach the destination for the performance. This helps them develop a routine of consistency and discipline, which is exceptionally essential to complete the YTT program and begin a career in teaching.
Builds Strength for Intensive Asana Practice
The YTT program is physically challenging, hence it requires an excellent level of dedication during the long practice hours. Regular practice of multiple rounds of Surya Namaskar enables students to assess their body’s capabilities. Gradually, they begin to strengthen their spine, limbs, and core, which helps them hold into poses without fail and progress correctly into advanced postures.
A thorough practice of the sun salutation in the 200-hour YTT can help them slide successfully into the advanced asanas of the 300-hour YTT program.
Enhances the Flexibility
Flexibility is essential, alongside strength, for students to perform the asana correctly. Gaining this flexibility in the initial phases of yoga teacher training may sound difficult. However, as the student begins to incorporate Surya Namaskar and other asanas into his routine, flexibility improves.
Through the multiple poses of the sun salutation, students discover forward and backward bends, stretches, and lunges. Regular practice of such a sequence helps students alleviate stiffness and body pain in a short while. Hence, they can effectively proceed to the advanced techniques and levels in the YTT program.
An enhanced flexibility also helps students when they complete the course and move out into their actual lifestyles. Satvik meals may not be a part of their routines, but Surya Namaskar, early morning practice, breathing exercises, and a disciplined lifestyle can be. Hence, they find it supportive in extending their career and teaching the world.
Helps Control the Breath & Improve Attention
In addition to building stamina and strength, Surya Namaskar also helps students gain breath awareness and control. Here, it is ideal to know that Indian yoga schools and institutes considerably emphasize the connection between movement and breath. Therefore, pranayama or breathing exercises go hand-in-hand with the asana practices. They help improve the capacity of the lungs, breath control, and hence, the concentration of the practitioner.
While pranayama enhances the effectiveness of Surya Namaskar through breath control, the sun salutation further improves focus and attention by effectively regulating breathing patterns. Gradually, students become able to concentrate on meditation and theoretical sessions.
Supports the Functioning of Body Systems
Surya Namaskar not only supports the muscular system but also improves the functioning of the inner body systems. From the digestive system to the respiratory, lymphatic, nervous system, cardiovascular, endocrine, reproductive system, and blood circulation, the sun salutation touches every system.
With regular practice, students can discover improvements in their bodies. Supporting it with Satvik diet, they soon find an enhanced immunity, physical vitality, and overall performance.
Benefit of Learning from Traditional Lineages
Comprehending Surya Namaskar in a yoga school also comes with the benefit of learning from the mentor himself. These mentors are none other than traditional yogic lineages, especially if students have joined an authentic yoga school.
Practicing under their guidance can be an unforgettable lifetime experience. This is because they strongly emphasize practicing under an intentional setting that integrates mantra chanting, formation of mudras, breath control, and other aspects. Hence, students can connect with the practice on a deeper level and learn better.
Strengthens the Ability to Teach Worldwide
The sun salutation is one of the universal yoga sequences; hence, teachers, yoga enthusiasts, and people of all ages practice it in their routine. Learning it under the guidance of traditional lineages in authentic yoga schools strengthens the foundation of aspiring yoga teachers. Hence, they can now have the skills and techniques to teach children, adults, oldies, beginners, and intermediates confidently, worldwide.
Final Thoughts – Role of Learning Surya Namaskar in a Yoga Course in India
The above benefits prove that learning Surya Namaskar via a yoga course in India is not only about following a curriculum, but living a transformational journey. On completion of this course, students move out as a different person – physically, mentally, and spiritually. That’s the uniqueness of a well-rounded curriculum of a YTT program, which only authentic schools like Nirvana Yoga School can offer.
So, if you are seeking a teaching career in Yoga, it is time to reach out to this school and understand the depth of the course. Visit the website today.
