The true essence of Yoga lies beyond 108 Surya Namaskars

On International Yoga Day, June 21st, the commonest activity we see all around is the announcement of 108 Suryanamaskar ‘challenges’! Yes, performing that many Suryanamaskars (Sun Salutation sequences) at a stretch requires stamina and long-term practise. Such publicity, however, gives a layperson the impression that Yoga is perhaps about doing a certain number of Suryanamaskars! The essence of Yoga, however, lies beyond physical practises.

Going beyond Sun Salutations in Yoga

Yoga is much more than practicing or performing Suryanamaskars. Indeed the physical or exercise aspect of Yoga finds only a brief mention in the Patanjali Yogasutras as well as in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, both revered texts of Yoga. Traditional yogic practices are all directed towards finding the calmness and stillness required to sit and meditate. These practises encompass a) Pranayama which includes breathing in a variety of ways to energize, balance or calm the mind and body b) full body relaxation techniques, c) mindfulness practices like chanting & japa d) meditation, the ultimate goal of yogis and d) Yoga Nidra which rejuvenates the mind and body. Yoga thus includes practises that combine mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and ethical aspects of a human being.

A typical yoga class

Only a portion of an hour-long yoga class by a good teacher is directed to physical postures or asana practise. Yes, the practise of Surya Namaskars is a part of the class, depending on what the teacher wants the student to do on that particular day. The rest of the class is used to direct the students’ awareness to their inner self, to find a balance in their emotions and responses with the tools described above.

Finding Equanimity

In Chapter 2, verse 48 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that Yoga is finding ‘equanimity’. “Samatvam Yogah Uchyathe”. This relates to many aspects of life.

For example, it takes time and maturity to treat success and failure, acceptance and rejection with equal composure. In the meantime, we can turn inward to recognise and celebrate our Divine side. Being able to feel One with Nature, and recognizing our Oneness with the Universe can make a great difference to our attitude to life, our relationships, our words and our actions. This is the basic aspiration of a Yoga practitioner.

While doing 108 Suryanamaskars is definitely a physical feat worthy of admiration, consistent and sincere practise of all the limbs of Yoga by many can lead to a peaceful and joyful society.

The real test is off the mat

While the asana or physical practise is essential to make our bodies strong enough to be able to sit still for long periods of time, finding true ‘balance’ needs an inner and outer awareness that should hold strong in all our interactions off the mat, outside the yoga class as well.

Do share your experiences with Yoga practise in the comments section below 🙂 ! What part of your practise do you find challenging/easy ?