Also known as sun salutations, surya namaskar is a sequence of 12 yoga asanas designed to be performed in a rhythmic manner
It is extremely important to not lead a sedentary lifestyle and exercise daily, not just for weight loss but for keeping yourself fit. However, it may not be possible to include high-intensity workouts some days due to a lack of either time or energy, so, for those days, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar suggests doing Surya Namaskar.
Also known as sun salutations, it is a sequence of 12 yoga asanas designed to be performed in a rhythmic manner that combines both physical and mental benefits. Surya Namaskar is typically performed early in the morning, facing the rising sun, and is believed to help synchronise your body's energy with that of the sun.
Taking to her Instagram, Diwekar, who boasts of an impressive clientele including Kareena Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, recently shared a video talking about how you can sneak in a little exercise even on days when your schedule is packed, and just three of these can do the trick.
“This video serves as a quick reminder that you don’t need a lot of time to fit in exercise. Today, I was at a hotel without any equipment, and I had to rush to an event. But I also know that my body doesn’t feel right if I skip my workout. So, I decided to do three quick Surya Namaskars to get my body moving and feel energised," she told her followers.
Why should you perform Surya Namaskar?
Surya Namaskar provides a complete and energising workout for your body and mind. Apart from keeping you active, it also improves flexibility, strength, and balance while also promoting mental focus and relaxation. "They are a complete exercise. They allow you to stretch, help you stay stable, strengthen your legs, and also build stamina. So, if you don't have the time, just do this trick: three Surya Namaskars, and you'll stay fit," Diwekar added.
12 mudras of doing Surya Namaskar
How to do surya namaskar
The 12 steps of sun salutations are as follows:
Stand straight, aligning your feet closely upright, and inhale deeply; raise your hands sideways while keeping your shoulders relaxed.
Take a deep breath and slowly lift your hands upward while keeping your palms together. However, keep your body relaxed.
Now exhale gradually and bend forward, folding from your waist. Inhale deeply as you stretch your body parallel to the floor, extend your arms along your sides, and bring your right knee towards the right side of your chest.
Keep the body parallel to the ground, inhale, and stretch the right leg backward, aligning it with the left leg.
Slowly, lower your knees toward the ground while exhaling deeply. Do the Cobra Pose, or bhujangasana—aligning your torso and chest to the floor.
Raise your midsection slowly while keeping your feet and palms in place.
Return to the pose by bringing your right foot forward and placing it next to your left foot.
Holding the left foot adjacent to the right foot, steadily bring the left foot forward while exhaling.
Lift your hands and take a deep breath. Bend backward slowly. The stretching of the chest here improves breathing.
Relax your body and breathe out while maintaining the Namaskar mudra.
What are the benefits of doing Surya Namaskar?
As you reach for the sky and then swan-dive over your legs to touch your toes, you may wonder what it does for your body. So, the benefits of doing Surya Namaskar include:
Raises heart rate
Doing Surya Namaskar in a fast mode is one of the best ways to raise your heart rate. It helps you to move quickly without sacrificing your alignment and attention to detail.
Strengthens and tones muscles
Most of the asanas included in Surya Namaskar help tone your arms, abs, and leg muscles.
Improves digestion
Surya Namaskar helps fight indigestion and constipation by stretching the abdominal organs. It also strengthens your gut health.
Boosts immunity
Getting your body moving and your heart working also jumpstarts your lymphatic system, which supports your immune system and helps you stay healthy.
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