Ashtanga Sun Salutation A: Video Demo
Yoga Poses and stretching exercises warm-ups
The Power of Sun Salutations
Sun Salutations are a series of movements (watch the video) used to warm up the body for yoga practice and connect with your breath. Most people fly through them as quickly as possible, but if you have time, it’s well worth your time to breath deeply and do loads of them.
Sun Salutations for Flexibility
It’s completely pointless to stretch unless you’re warmed up… really, really warm is better! When I lived in New York, I used to make this rule for myself:
“I’m going to do Sun Salutations until sweat drips from my nose.”
In the winter, that took a long time, but it was really important for me when I was really tight to first get really really warm before stretching. Now, I live in Thailand so I’ve had to modify the rule a bit. Now I do Sun Salutes until there’s a puddle (it’s always hot here).
Where to Start
As a general rule, no ones does enough. 5 Sun Salute A’s (pictured above) and 5 Sun Salute B’s (it’s here on this blog too) are really a good idea for most students, especially if you struggle with flexibility.
Ok, that’s all for today!
Stay bendy,
Lucas
YOGABODY Naturals LLC
p.s. I’ve got more videos here:
http://youtube.com/user/lrockwood
Tags: yoga pilates stretching exercises flexibility bikram ashtanga pose iyengar anusara posture
November 28th, 2008 at
Hi Lucas.
Beautiful demonstration. I was hoping that by watching it I would be tempted to re-think my aversion to the series (particularly downwarddog), but NO. It still looks as bad for me as last time I tried it. No matter how slow, or careful I have been with this, it always throws my neck out and tweaks my back…. I know. That’s the opposite of what it is supposed to do. but that IS what happens. It was good to watch your video, however. At least I know that I was moving ‘properly’.
Still loving your ‘gravity’ poses. Now THAT works for me. I warm up with some gravity poses, then I go on to do the 26 Bikram poses with much more strength and flexibility than when I don’t warm up with gravity.
Again, thanks for your care and time.
Garen
December 2nd, 2008 at
I love to watch all your videos .
Congratulations and thank you very much for all your hard work .
December 15th, 2008 at
ur rite !!! i do N0T do enuff JUMPINGS…the iyengar method of sun salutations….altho i WILL do M0RE…i IN joy ur reflections & suggestions..they’re VERY helpFULL….& INspiring as well…l00king 4ward 2 recieving the next E-mail….namaste
January 14th, 2009 at
Namaste Lucas,
thanks for all the information. Wonderful.
Why can’t I jump forward from Downward Dog without turning my feet out into a wide V SHAPE?
OM SHANTI,
mARILYN.
June 8th, 2009 at
great instructions! wow, you are really in good flexi-condition! Thanks for sharing- Very Well Done!