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| AHYMSIN newsletter, Issue - October 2011 | ||||||||
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Surya Namaskarby Lori BeronThis fall I had the opportunity to teach a 4-part Surya Namaskar class at the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. To prepare, I reviewed chapter 2 of Swami Veda’s Philosophy of Hatha Yoga and Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s Surya Namaskara. In addition, I practiced each aspect of the series every morning and have for quite some time. My practice became more focused knowing that I was about to teach others. Class 1: We reviewed the physical asanas, discussing the benefits, and how to approach the asanas: meditatively with breath awareness, as a warm up, or even practicing by your ayurvedic type. I invited the participants to explore the asanas at a gentle pace exploring modifications if needed. The most challenging for all was bringing the foot forward from downward dog. Class 2: We explored surya namaskar adding breath awareness, and practiced as a form of worship. After centering in makarasana, I read a few excerpts from Philosophy of Hatha Yoga, noting the recurring theme of the microcosm and macrocosm, "everything external is a symbol for whatever is internal". The challenge lies in maintaining this sacred mindset everyday and not falling into making the practice mechanical. Class 3: Bija mantras were introduced coordinated with each asana in the surya namaskar series preparing for a spring workshop with Linda and Stoma where the full mantras will be taught. Class 4: In our last class we reviewed and refined the asanas with breath, as worship and with bija mantras. Per Philosophy of Hatha Yoga, "The entire series of movements is this poetic hymn of the body", and per Swami Satyananda Saraswati, "Try to make the movements flow loosely into one another, like a dance". In closing, we set an intent for a regular morning practice, setting attainable goals, and most of all to practice with ahimsa, to be gentle with ourselves. Surya Namaskara is a beautiful way to begin the day; it’s become as essential as my morning meditation. Thanks to Michael Smith for the pronunciations and for wonderful and inspiring resources, and of course my immense gratitude to the Himalayan Tradition. Editor’s Note:Philosophy of Hatha Yoga by Swami Veda Bharati is available through The Meditation Center online bookstore that ships nationally and internationally http://www.themeditationcenter.org/jnana/index.php?. In Europe, it is available from http://www.yogaineurope.eu/store/books/catalog/12/. In India, write to ahymsinpublishers@gmail.com.
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