In the last edition, I promised to give some perspective on the 108-Sun Salutations. Just in case you are tuning in for the first time, on Saturday, September 26, 2009 Life Time Fitness is hosting a 108-Sun Salutations event at a club near you.
More than perspective on the event, I want you to have a better idea of the concept, the practice, and its metaphorical application. In addition, I will provide you facts that you may or may not find interesting.
Speaking of practice, I have to admit to you that I had a breakdown in my Sun Salutation practice yesterday, meaning Wednesday. Yes, I got up before dawn and I just couldn’t get my mind and body to agree with each other. I actually ended up switching on my computer and doing work instead! So much for my a.m. energizer. I will have to make up the 18 Sun Salutations by doing 9 on Saturday and Sunday as part of my personal practice. Of course, I’ll have my Saturday yoga class and that should realign me. Onward and upward, right?
What are Sun Salutations?
If you recall, the Sun Salutation is a simple and flowing routine of calisthenics that is often cited as comprising the whole of Yoga. Meaning that at minimum, the nine linked poses provide you the asana, or poses, to have a yoga practice. This routine consists of nine basic poses that are linked providing you general strength, flexibility, and even a minor cardiovascular training effect. What is great about the Sun Salutation is that you really don’t need much room; you could actually do them in your office or cube. Beside the more common fitness benefits, the Sun Salutations are energetically flowing, meditative, and in the end just plain makes you feel good!
The Origins
This is a bit tough as the traditions of Yoga go back approximately 5,000 years. Historically, the Sun Salutation routine was practiced by specific group in ancient India to honor and pay respects to nature and the universe. Apparently they had to do Sun Salutations every morning as part of their discipline. Some sources report that they did 12 Sun Salutation equating to one per zodiac sign and others claim that it was 108-Sun Salutations every morning. Over time, the physical practice of the Sun Salutations, along with meditation and breathing techniques became a tool in the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
Metaphorically Speaking
Metaphorically, the movements in the Sun Salutation symbolize surrendering, or letting go, both physically and or emotionally as you aim for non-attachment. Non-attachment is a concept made well known in the west by the ancient Greek philosophical school known as the Stoics and from east from the Buddhists. Long story short, it is the idea that we “suffer” or experience fear about something that hasn’t happened yet, or disappointed about not having something you want. Basically, what in the end is making you unhappy is the belief that you need them in order to be happy. This is an example of attachment. Non-attachment is a process of becoming aware of the attachment, look for lessons, and learn from them. If you want more information on the concept there are plenty of books out there on the topic and the best ones do come from western Buddhist that help make sense of it.
In addition, the sequence of exercises perfectly balances flexion and extension of the spine with an almost perfect balance of inhalations and exhalations creating balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The 108, for short, is normally completed in celebration of the change of seasons or more specifically solstices and equinoxes. In September we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox which is one of the two times when there is balance and harmony due to the days and nights having equal length. Across the world, this is a time of final harvest where you begin to store and prepare for the winter months ahead. A great function of the 108-Sun Salutation is that of a milestone, where you prepare, detoxify, strengthen your mind, body, and spirit in anticipation of the cold and darker months ahead. Preparing for this event is a great way to “harvest” healthy habits such as balanced nutrition, fitness routines, and a purge of “attachments”. Your next opportunity is Winter Solstice in December. The Winter Solstice is the time of the longest night and the shortest day. It is the pivot or turning point because from then on, slowly and surely, nights grow shorter and days grow longer. In this case, it is a time to look inward, appreciate yourself, and find your inner light.
Oh my, philosophy via a blog is not really easy…if you are interested in discussing, it is always better over wine or with a refreshment that best suits you.
Interesting Facts of the Significant and Multi-cultural Number of 108
108 is the number of Upanishads comprising Indian philosophical texts knows as Vedas
108 is the Chinese number representing man
108 is the number of names for Shiva in Hindu philosophy
108 is the number of beads on a Catholic rosary
108 is the number of beads on a Tibetan "mala", a type of “rosary”
108 is the number of names for Buddha
108 is twice the number "54", which is the number of sounds in Sanskrit
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 in a Sun Salutation and eighteen times the number 6, which is the number of days per week that yoga is traditionally practiced
108 is the number of stitches on a baseball!
108 is 27 times 4, that is 27 constellations in the moon's monthly circuit multiplied by four of the four cardinal directions.
The mystery of these numbers comes from early Indian astronomy. The Indians took this to be the distance between the earth and the sun in sun-diameter units, and the distance between the earth and the moon in moon-diameter units. So, the distance between earth and sun = 108 times sun-diameter, the distance between earth and moon = 108 times moon-diameter, and diameter of the sun = 108 times the earth diameter.
I know what you are saying, “really?” If you ask our best friend google you will find that I am not off-my-rocker.
Last week I left you with a quote, setting up this week’s blog post (and a chance to guess the author, although I had no takers). The author was Bruce Lee! Yes, although many of you knew him as a pioneering martial arts movie star, he was also a very deep philopher. In that quote, he was referring to the attribute of being flexible, balanced, and non-attached so that you could quickly adapt and prevail. Go ahead check it out the past blog. It may just begin to click for you.
Before that, look out for my fourth and final before the 108-Sun Salutations next week. I will bring it all together with a final report on my preparation for the event and a story of an event in the ancient Greek Olympics that talks about your inner spark, your torch, and how to keep it alive through breath, awareness, silence, intention, compassion, and slowing down.
