Surya Namaskar. Posture number 4

The fourth posture is Ashwa Sanchalanasana

Body: The palms stay in the same position as in Padahastasana. Bend left knee. Stretch right leg far backwards. Right foot place on the floor (exterior part touch the ground) as well as the right knee. Pull the loins to the ground. Left knee is between the arms. Look up. 

Breathing: Inhale

Mantra : ॐ भानवे नमः (Om Bhanave Namaha)
              The bestower of Beauty
              Prostration to Him who diffuses Light


"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, and it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness" - according the Bible , the Light was created the second day, just after the earth. The universe is nothing without the light. Light is the knowledge. That's why latin words "fiat lux" often is used as motto in university* or schools. 
The knowledge that we are looking for is different: about us, the world, universe, animals, history etc...The knowledge is the key to better life- more we know (understand)  the world and the Self, easier to decide what to do, where to go. Nobody can confuse you. As long you have the light with you - you know the way, even somebody try to show the wrong way.  Trust your memory and your eyes. 


*for example in University of California

Hari Om Tat Sat

Surya Namaskar. Posture number 2

In the previous post I had written about the general meaning of the sun salutation and the first position "Namaskar".

Next step in the Surya Namaskar is "Urdhva-hasta-asana"

Body:  The hands are on one line with the head. Stretch the body up to the top and back. Feel the muscles of your abdomen. Less tension in the upper limbs more stretching in the abdomen.


Breathing: inhalation

Mantra : ॐ रवये नमः  (Om Ravaye Namaha)
               Prostration to Him who is the cause of                      Change

The sun is the source of changing. Day, night, summer, winter, that's all is coming and going due to the sun position. Sun is changing the mood and activity, most of people is going out for a walk or visit friends when the sun is shining, they decide to do sport, they feel more energy and determination to do something.


The sun heating changes the nature. Groving of the trees, flowers, snow melt, greening of the leafs , all these is coming only when the sun rays are in the sky.

And what happen with people when the sun is hiding in the evening? The brain prepares the body to sleep by producing  the hormon that we call melatonina. Melatonina regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Light inhibit the production of melatonina and awake us up.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Source: "The complete Illustrated book of Yoga" Swami Vishnudevananda
              "Anathomy of Hatha Yoga" H. David Coulter
               www.harekrsna.de/surya/surya-names/html