Winter Solstice & 108 Sun Salutations Challenge

December 23, 2012

Happy days after Winter Solstice! Let the days become lighter and lighter!

Friday, December 21st was the Winter Solstice, the longest day of darkness. And the changing of the seasons.

The Winter Solstice marks the end of the shortest, darkest days and the beginning of new light, life, and opportunities.

Around this time, yoga really takes on a new life and 108 Sun Salutations is one way that yogis solute this change, four times a year.

Saturday I took a trip to Berkeley with my favorite person and yoga instructor, Anne, and honored our practice, our new beginnings, and the Winter Solstice, by completing 108 Sun Salutations.

Sounds easy, right?

It was slightly challenging, mentally and physically. We did this yoga challenge by completing 9 sets of 12 Sun Salutations, alternating directions with each set (East, West, North, South) and sequence A and B. And those B sequences were long and hard.

Sun Salutation B

Surya Namaskara B extends the list of poses and adds in some lunges and “squats”, if you will. There are 12 asanas, poses, that create one full round. Now do 11 more and you’ve completed ONE of the 12 rounds of 9 sequences. Needless to say, the last two B’s were tough.

Surya Namaskara A was wonderful. Quick, efficient, and got the job done. I enjoyed those, especially since the wonderful A’s were half the poses as B… see chart below.

The best part of this challenge was with each round of a Sun Salutation, the instructor gave an offering of a dedication: strength of mind; Those things no longer serve us, breaking bad habits; Things we would like to bring into our lives, cultivating good habits; Dedicating a round to someone who loves us; etc. It was a wonderful way to keep each round going strong and meaningful.

Overall, I had a great experience with this two point five hour practice (yes, 2 1/2 hours of yoga) and will definitely be completing this challenge again with the next Solstice.

I took the challenge and completed all 108 Sun Salutations. But there are more yoga challenges if you are up for it…

I love my Tribesports and wouldn’t you know, they sent me a challenge from a fellow Tribesporter and blogger, Hui, from Putting the World Back on its Axis. This is a completely doable and great yoga challenge of  a Vinyasa Yoga Sequence to help with flexibility and relaxation, which we could all use more of.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Jimmy November 7, 2014 at 7:37 AM

I am watching a totally groovy Movie called The Breath of the Gods and today decided I needed to start from acratch. I searched for Sun Salutaion You know that Google thing. And found your A B Circle for Sura Namaskar which is the first thing they show Guruji teaching in the video. Thank you for your post. I am combining doing it with 70 minute~7 Chakra Meditation with 21 Antique Tibetan Singing Bowls~Crown~B thru Root~C on a You Tube/ Templesounds Channel. Big Namaste to you . Jimmy Adikavi

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