There are several interpretations for the number 108 as the basis for these yoga flows and greetings to the sun. The number has holy interpretation in Hindu religion for the number of prayer beads and the number of sacred places in India, the yoga home. Mathematically, the distance from earth to the sun and moon is 108 times their diameter. There are additional numerical interpretations for the number’s significance. Further significance of the number 108 lies in:
- the number of names for Buddha
- the Chinese symbol for man
- the number of beads on Catholic rosary
- the nine vinyasas (the total movements within the sun salute) per month or 9 x 12 = 108
The Global Mala Project offers information and places to practice for the 108 sun salutations.
What is a Sun Salute or Yoga Sun Salutation?
The pose, Surya Namaskara, is acknowledgement or respect to the universe. It is surrendering breath to movement. The different practices of yoga have slightly altered movements or asanas. Basically a movement to each breath or nine breaths with each pose links the asana. The Ashtanga sun salute has a jump back (or step back) to plank position that is held for a breath. The movement sequence aligns breath, stretching upward and downward as well as along the ground. Other forms of yoga may have one leg step back in a lunge position and then the other or some derivation of that.
Physical Preparation for the 108 Sun Salutes
A once-a-week yoga class may not prepare you for 108 asanas but it can open the door to yoga practice. There is nothing wrong with not being able to go the whole round of 108 since yoga is not a competition with others or even with oneself. One can only begin with the basics of the sun salute and move along at an individual pace to multiple sun salutes.
- Begin in mountain, standing pose, (photo 1) to increase hamstrings and back flexibility. This is simply rising upward with both arms heavenward and descending down toward the ground in a sweeping motion as in photo 2. Start with three poses/stretches a day and increase to five a day.
- Push-ups form the center part of the sun’s salute asana. Arm strength will increase by attempting three a day for the first week. Knees can be on the ground or not.
- The pushups are added to the mountain pose. When the hands are on or toward the floor, jump or step back to the plank push up position as in photo 3. The pushup morphs into upward dog that is done by gliding forward on the arms lifting the upper part of the body off the floor and relying on the arms and feet to be on the floor or ground.
- The arm placement for the Ashtanga push up, sometimes called the “man's push up” has elbows in toward the sides of the body.
- Upward dog rolls back into downward dog (the last photo) by lifting the buttocks skyward and straightening the arms. The weight of the body isn’t on the wrists but back toward the hips.
Remember the purpose is a salute to the sun, to life, and not to athletic prowess. If all 108 are achieved that is wonderful, if not, that is good too. The breath of the group enhances the collective experience and abilities. The reward is feeling good, participating. If the feeling is simply to have tried, that is enough. Many schools have celebrations and some cities do also. It is international. 108 Sun Salutes have gathered groups such as Yoga Stops Traffick to bring awareness to human trafficking as well as for the Japanese crisis. Good luck saluting the sun.
References:
Huffington Post, Get in Shape for the 108, accessed from the web 3/20/2011
Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...
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