Greet
the sun with Surya Namaskar yoga
The
South African School of Yoga in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, holds
regular events for the public:
• Saturday
morning Havan (fire ceremony) 8am-9am. Various ingredients are
offered into a specifically prepared fire. The offerings act as
great purifiers for the body and the entire atmosphere in order
to maintain balance universally. All are welcome!
•
Wednesday
evenings from 5pm to 5.45pm: Nada Yoga Sadhana (yoga of sound
practices - sound, music, vibrations to uplift our life, creating
a general wellbeing for all who attend).
• Wednesday evenings from 5.45pm to 6.30pm Bhajan and Kirtan
Sadhana. This practice is from the book Siddha Stotra Mala (Garlands
of Sacred Chants). Books are available at the school. All are
welcome to join in. Bring your voices and instruments!
Special
events:
• Shatkarmas (water purification): Remember that detoxing
is a slow, steady, systematic process. So relax and let go mentally
and physically. Please join us at the SA School of Yoga on Saturday,
September 5, for Shatkarmas (water purification). Contact Swami
Kamalavidya at (011) 327 0073 to reserve your place as space is
limited. For more information, log onto www.yogasa.co.za o
• Navaratri: Join us in celebrating Navaratri with
Havan (fire ceremony) and Yajna (offering) for further purification
on September 19. This runs for 10 days.
Navaratri Programme: Navaratri will be celebrated with
daily Havan (fire ceremony) for the full duration of 10 days.
Yoga classes will run as normal.
Day 1: September 19; Saturday, 8am to 9am, opening.
Day 2: 20th September 20, Sunday, 8am to 9am.
Day 3: September 21, Monday 5pm to 5.45pm.
Day 4: September 22, Tuesday, 5pm to 5.45pm.
Day 5: September 13, Wednesday, 10 am11.30am.
Day 6: September 24, Thursday, 5pm to 6pm. o
Day 7: September 25, Friday, 8am to 9am. o
Day 8: September 26, Saturday, 8am to 9am. o
Day 9: September 27, Sunday 8am to 9am. o
Day 10: September 28, Monday 5pm to 5.45pm, closing. o
Not all times of Yajna are the same - please check programme carefully.
SURYA NAMASKAR - SUN SALUTATION
Twelve graceful, simply devised poses blend into each other together
with synchronised breath with each pose as you greet the sunrise
every morning. Slow, steady, dance-like movements that stretch
the spinal column, limbs, muscles and tendons, encouraging you
to hold for a few seconds in between each pose in order to experience
the benefits of harmony, purification and balancing on all levels
of body, mind and emotions.
HOW
TO DO SURYA NAMASKAR FOR BEGINNERS A SLOW, STEADY, SYSTEMATIC
APPROACH
One full cycle of Suranamaskar entails 24 movements, i.e., repeating
steps one to 12 twice in order to work on both sides of the body.
It is advised to begin with one to three full cycles every morning
and building it up slowly to 12 full cycles a day (over a period
of three to six months). Children from the age of 8 upwards to
adults and beyond can do the Sun Salutations excepting for people
suffering from high blood pressure, weak hearts, slipped discs
or hernias. It is advisable to relax in a supine (relax on your
back) pose on the floor known to yogis as Shavanasa pose, until
breath and heartbeat returns to normal.
NB: DO SURYA NAMASKAR ON AN EMPTY STOMACH!
For more information, see www. yogasa.co.za
