Sun
Salutation
The Sun Salutation yoga pose is recommended
for practitioners of all ages, and especially for the ones
who cannot dedicate a lot of time to their yoga routine.
The reason why this pose is so highly appreciated is that
it involves most of the muscle groups, as well as the respiratory
system.
In fact, the Sun Salutation is a sequence
of twelve yoga positions, linked together by a flowing motion
and accompanied by five deep, special breaths. Each of the
twelve positions contributes to stretching a different part
of the body and different muscle groups. Moreover, it helps
expanding and contracting the chest in order to regulate
breathing.
Specialists and yoga trainers recommend
this exercise for the daily routine, as it can contribute
in a very efficient way to the flexibility of your spine
and joints.
* The first of the twelve positions require
you to stand up with your feet together. Your palms should
be in praying position, in front of your chest. Once you
make sure your weight is evenly distributed, exhale profoundly.
* While inhaling, push the arms up, keep
the legs straight and relax the neck.
* While exhaling, fold your body forward,
press your palms down and try to place your fingertips in
line with your toes.
* While inhaling, bring a leg back and
place it on the floor. Arch your back and lift the chin.
* Bring the other leg back and try to support
your weight on hands and toes. Keep your chin down and retain
your breath while performing this move.
* While exhaling, lower your knees and
then your forehead, but keep your hips up and make sure
your toes are curled under.
* Lower your hips while inhaling. Point
your toes and bend as back as possible. Your shoulders should
be kept down and your legs together.
* Curl your toes under and while exhaling,
raise your hips. You should end up in a V position. You
should push your heels and head down, while keeping your
shoulders back.
* While inhaling, step forwards and place
one of your legs between the hands. Keep your chin up while
resting the other knee on the floor.
* Bring the other leg forward and bend
down from the waist, keeping your palms on the floor. Exhale.
* While inhaling, stretch your arms forward
and then up and back over your head and try to slowly bend
back.
* Return to the upright standing position
while exhaling, and bring your arms to your sides.
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