Solstice Sun Salutations With Mantras

Have your sun salutations become so routine, that you’re repeating them like an automaton? The winter or summer solstice is the perfect time to remove the robot from your Surya Namaskar and revisit this ancient ritual of greeting the sun.

On the solstice, celebrate the dawn of a new day, and choose to do a sun salutation sequence where the sun is symbolic of the light within you. In essence, this sequence of yoga poses is a humble adoration of our higher wisdom. When we do each pose with this devotional approach, we are reminded of just how precious each day is.

Here’s an interesting article I found, on celebrating the light of consciousness within.

Below is some inspiration for practicing a traditional 12-step sun salutation sequence, choosing a devotional mantra to the sun for each pose.

(Bonus: Yoga isn’t only about asana. You don’t have to do the physical poses themselves, either … you could also close your eyes, take 12 slow and easy breaths, and with each inhale and exhale repeat the words of the mantra.)

Enjoy!

1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Mantra: Om Mitraya Namaha (Salutations to the friend of all)

2. Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

Mantra: Om Ravaya Namaha (Salutations to the shining one)

3.  Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Mantra: Om Suryaya Namaha (Salutations to the dispeller of darkness, the beautiful Light)

4.   Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

Mantra: Om Bhanave Namaha (Salutations to the one who illumines, the bright one)

5.   Phalankasana (Plank Pose)

Mantra: Om Khagaya Namah (Salutations to the one who is all-pervading, who moves through the sky)

6.   Ashtanga Namaskara (Knees-Chest-Chin Pose)

Mantra: Om Pushne Namah (Salutations to the giver of strength)

7.   Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Mantra: Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha (Salutations to the golden, cosmic Self)

8.   Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

Mantra: Om Marichaye Namaha (Salutations to the Lord of the dawn)

9.   Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

Mantra: Om Adityaya Namaha (Salutations to the son of Aditi, the cosmic Mother)

10.   Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Mantra: Om Savitre Namaha (Salutations to the one who is responsible for life)

11.    Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

Mantra: Om Arkaya Namaha (Salutations to the one who is worthy of praise and glory)

12.    Pranamasana(Prayer Pose)

Mantra: Om Bhaskaraya Namaha (Salutations to the Source that leads to enlightenment)

All photos were taken at sunrise in Delray Beach, Florida, where every day is a beautiful celebration on the beach 🙂

The above yoga pose are a fairly traditional Surya Namaskar sun salutation sequence, but there are many variations. How do you practice sun salutations and what is your favorite sequence?