Surya Namaskara A

• Tadasana - Mountain pose

• Urdhva Hastasana - Hands-up

• Uttanasana - Fall forward

• Ardha Uttanasana - Half-way lift

• Caturanga Dandasana - Low plank

• Urdhva Mukka Svanasana - Upward dog

• Adho Mukka Svanasana - Downward dog

• Ardha Uttasana- Half-way lift

• Uttasana - Fall forward

• Urdhva Hastasana - Hands-up

• Tadasana - Mountain pose

Surya Namaskara is the original Sun Salutation flow from Ashtanga Yoga. Two versions, named A and B, are to be done every morning, facing the sun rise. The main benefits of this practice is to fill the body with the sun-energy.

Sun Salutations are done to heat to body before the standing and seated sequences. They are supposed to remove fatigue from the body, loose the muscles and joints while expanding the breath.

As part of the YTT, first homework is to learn the Sanskrit names and asana order for both A and B.

Try to say them out loud, while demonstrating and of course adding the Inhale/Exhale breath flow ... This is actually much more difficult than expected.

Only practice will make it easier. I try to repeat them at least once a day.