Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation, is one of the most recognised and widely practised sequences in yoga today. Dynamic yet meditative, energising yet calming, it has become a cornerstone of yoga classes around the world. For many yoga practitioners, their very first experience of yoga begins with this flowing sequence of postures.
For me, Surya Namaskar is deeply connected to my earliest memories of yoga.
Almost twenty years ago, I attended my first yoga class in Nashik, a city in western India. I cannot quite remember how my best friend and I ended up at an early morning session at Yoga Vidya Dham, but I vividly remember how the practice made me feel.
Classes often began with the classical Surya Namaskar sequence before moving into postures such as Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), and many others. Throughout the practice, I experienced a profound sense of ease and freedom in my body. What remains with me is the image of a room full of students moving together, creating shapes with their bodies, breathing deeply, and immersing themselves in the rhythm and flow of the practice. The experience felt both powerful and gentle, dynamic and peaceful.
Perhaps this is why my fascination with Surya Namaskar has remained throughout my yoga journey.
Exploring the Origins
My curiosity about Surya Namaskar deepened after completing my yoga teacher training. As I began exploring its origins, I found myself immersed in a wealth of articles, books, and historical accounts—many of which offered conflicting information.
Today, it is generally accepted that Surya Namaskar, as we know it, is a relatively modern component of yoga practice. Ancient texts contain numerous references to sun worship and rituals honouring the life-giving power of the sun. However, these texts do not describe the flowing sequence of postures that modern practitioners recognise as Surya Namaskar.
Yoga scholar Richard Rosen notes that Vedic traditions included practices such as prostrations to the rising sun, chanting mantras, and making offerings of flowers and holy water. Yet these rituals bore little resemblance to the vigorous, movement-based sequence that has become so familiar in contemporary yoga.
And still, despite its relatively recent evolution, Surya Namaskar has become deeply woven into modern yoga traditions across the world.
The Evolution of a Modern Practice
One of the earliest documented references to Surya Namaskar appears in Yoga Makaranda (1934) by Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Yoga.” Krishnamacharya’s influence on contemporary yoga is immense, having taught renowned yoga masters such as Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga, and B.K.S. Iyengar, founder of Iyengar Yoga.
However, another important figure deserves recognition for popularising Surya Namaskar beyond yoga circles: Bhawanrao Shrinivasrao Pant Pratinidhi, the ruler of Aundh in Maharashtra, India.
Research by journalist Vikram Doctor highlights how Bhawanrao promoted Surya Namaskar as a daily health practice and introduced it into schools during the early twentieth century. His efforts helped transform the sequence from a regional practice into a widely accessible health and wellbeing routine. Some historians also suggest that contemporary physical culture and bodybuilding movements of the time may have influenced the development of the sequence.
Whatever its precise origins, Surya Namaskar evolved into a practice that bridges tradition, movement, health, and spirituality.
Why Surya Namaskar Continues to Inspire
Today, Surya Namaskar is often experienced as an energising and awakening sequence consisting of twelve interconnected postures. It offers an opportunity to synchronise movement with breath, cultivating strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration.
One of its greatest strengths is its adaptability. Numerous variations exist, allowing practitioners of different ages, abilities, and experience levels to participate and benefit from the practice.
While my exploration of its history has only just begun, it has already deepened my appreciation for this remarkable sequence. Understanding that Surya Namaskar is both rooted in tradition and shaped by modern influences makes it all the more fascinating.
As I continue my own yoga journey, I feel inspired to explore the many variations of Surya Namaskar within my personal practice and to share them with my students. There is always more to learn, and perhaps that is one of yoga’s greatest gifts—the invitation to remain curious.
A Note on the Vedas
The Vedas are a collection of ancient Indian scriptures dating back thousands of years. The word Veda translates as “knowledge,” and these texts form the foundation of many spiritual and philosophical traditions in India.
References
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Doctor, V. (2018). Bhawanrao Shrinivasrao Pant Pratinidhi: The man who promoted Surya Namaskar. The Economic Times. [online]. Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bhawanrao-shrinivasrao-pant-pratinidhi-the-man-who-promoted-surya-namaskar/articleshow/64607546.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst [Accessed 6th January 2021].
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Newell, Z. (n.d) The ancient origins of surya namaskar: sun salutation. [online]. Yoga International. Available from: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-ancient-origins-of-surya-namaskar-sun-salutation [Accessed 27th December 2020]
Rosen, R. (2007). Here comes the sun: The tradition of Surya Namaskar [online]. Yoga Journal. Available from: https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/here-comes-the-sun/ [Accessed 27th December 2020].
Sharan. R. (2018). Sun Salutation Yoga Pose. [Image] Available at: https://www.yogainindia.co.in/blogyoga/2018/05/07/sun-salutation-yoga-pose-surya-namaskar/ [Accessed 6th January 2021].
Shah, S. (2020). Sun Salutation 101: Your Basic Guide to Learn the Age-old Yoga Sequence. [online]. The Art of Living. Available at: https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/sun-salutations [Accessed 6th January 2021].
