Whilst we’re soaking up the Caribbean sun here at The BodyHoliday, it’s kinda strange for this weathered Brit to get her head around
the fact that Christmas is coming….fast!
Even the fact that it’s actually almost
officially Winter is a strange one to come to terms with. Without the scarves,
gloves, thermal vests (never let it be said I’m not a stylish girl!) and the
associated layers of clothes, it’s really hard to remember that the year is
moving on.
But moving on it is, and on 22
December we’re going to celebrate the arrival of Winter in the traditional
yogic way; with 108 Sun Salutations at daybreak. Sun salutations (Surya Namaskara in Sanskrit) are
an integral part of most yoga practices. Sri K Pattabhi Jois (one of the most
important teachers in the Ashtanga yoga lineage) said;
“No asana practice is complete without sun worship.
Without its focusing of mental energies, yoga practice amounts to little more
than gymnastics &, as such, loses meaning & proves fruitless. Indeed,
the Surya Namaskar should never be taken for mere physical exercise – for
something incidental, that is, that simply precedes the asanas of yoga”– Sri K Pattabhi Jois.
‘Surya’ is one of many names of sun and ‘namaskara’
means to bow before or to prostrate oneself. The Sun has been worshipped in
many ancient cultures for its life-giving properties. Without it, life as we
know it could not be sustained. These cultures also recognised that the sun
bestows its power and light on all life; free from discrimination or judgement. When practiced correctly, you’ll find that they
contain elements of four of the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga, as detailed by
Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. They contain asana (the physical moving of the
body), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (control of senses), dharana
(concentration) and dhyana (meditation). So we choose to celebrate the Winter Solstice
and the coming of new light by completing a traditional Yoga Mala – 108 Sun
Salutations. As we reflect on the significance of the sun, we are reminded that
the sun is the illuminator of our world, that it is our primary source of heat
and the giver of life.
But why 108?
The number 108 carries spiritual significance in
many different cultures:
* 108 is the number of "Upanishads"
comprising Indian philosophy's "Vedic texts". * 108 is the number of names for Shiva (a really
important Hindu god). * 108 is the number of names for Buddha. * 108 is the Chinese number representing
"man". * 108 is the number of beads on a Catholic
rosary. * 108 is the number of beads on a Tibetan
"mala" (prayer beads, analagous to a rosary). * 108 is twice the number "54", which
is the number of sounds in Sanskrit (sacred Indian langauge). * 108 is six times the number "18",
which is a Jewish good luck number. * 108 is twelve
times the number 9, which is the number of vinyasas (movements linked to
breath) in a Sun Salutation.
It’s something I’ve done with students on a number of
different occasions; both to welcome in the changing seasons but also as
sponsored events to raise money for charitable causes. Yes it’s hard work; yes
it’s challenging on your mind and body. But at those moments in time when your
mind is telling you that you can’t possibly manage any more, it’s an
opportunity to remember that the tiredness, frustration, discomfort will pass.
It’s only temporary, just like the cold, wet, winter days. Those moments that
might make us feel less than full of sunshine are just temporary; they will
always move on.
However cold the weather may be where you are, why not
take a moment to welcome Winter and be thankful for the gloom. Without it we’d
never realise just how beautiful the sunshine is! |
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