It is no surprise that International Yoga Day coincides with the Summer Solstice, 21 June, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This illustrious day is marked as a time of celebration and many cultures have festivals to celebrate the sun and its life-giving energy which is why it makes the perfect time to practise yoga. Last year we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate this day in Beechwood Park in beautiful sunshine amongst those breathtaking trees.
This year we’re slightly out of reach of nature’s embrace, as we endure the restrictions of lockdown, however we can still practise and create our own sacred space within our homes and gardens – Wifi permitting.
This year, are you up for the challenge?? 108 sun salutations!! Don’t be alarmed I have come up with many variations which can be interchanged from soothing cat/cow to the more dynamic Surya Namaska B.
Level 1 cat/cow variation
level 2 cat/cow with down dog
Level 3 female sun salutations cat/cow with cobra
Level 4 Surya Namaskar A (arm work)
Level 5 Surya Namaskar C variation (leg work)
Level 6 Surya Namaskar B (leg and arm challenge)
See my facebook page video for the demonstrations of these.
We will finish with a well deserved yoga nidra so have a blanket and pillow at the ready as well as water!
This challenge is for charity. A donation between £3 and £10 will be going to prostate cancer research which my dad died of two years ago and affects many men of all ages.
Please get in touch if you’d like the link for this.
Yogis worldwide will be marking the day with the traditional 108 sun salutations which has become a traditional ritual. Here’s why:
The number 108 connects the Sun, Moon and Earth:
The diameter of the sun is about 108 times that of the diameter of Earth
The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the sun’s diameter
The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is about 108 times the moons diameter.
108 is also a sacred number:
There are 108 sacred sites throughout India
There are 108 sacred points on the body
Mala bead necklaces have 108 beads, which are used to count during meditation.