108 sun salutations - Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar is a Sanskrit term (सूर्यनमस्कार sūryanamaskāra, Hindi: सूर्यनमस्कार sūryanamaskār m.), where Surya stands for the sun and Namaskar means something like a bow — sun salutation, greeting to the sun or sun prayer.

In the yoga tradition the number 108 carries a spiritual meaning. One possible explanation goes:

• 1 – everything is one (the unity with the divine)
• 0 – emptiness (stillness of the thoughts in the mind)
• 8 – stands for infinity

Indian deities also have 108 names, there are 108 Upanishads, and mala prayer beads have 108 pearls.

The practice serves purification, the strengthening of discipline and the connection of body, mind and breath. Practised in a group, a strong feeling of connectedness and community arises alongside the personal experience. The energy of the group can carry you beyond your limits.

But what matters is: The 108 sun salutations are by no means a must! You take care of yourself and your body — and we celebrate every completed round together, whether you manage 10, 20 or 108 rounds.

You should be familiar with the sequence of the sun salutation for this event.