Sun Salutation- Step One

Sun Salutation- Round of the Ages

The Sun Salutation is composed of 12 postures. Swami Satchidananda in his book "Integral Yoga Hatha" says that the Sun Salutation is the summary of Hatha Yoga postures. This means that these twelve postures are the least amount of yoga to be practiced to bring a balance into the twelve anatomical aspects of the Acting Body (physical body) and its integration with the Higher Self. Each posture with the focus of intent has a particular anatomical and benefit. Each posture has more than one level of energy and focus.

The Breaths

The Sun Salutation may also be combined with the different breaths. There are many ways to work with breath and the postures. Some breaths are easy and some are difficult. It really is a matter of personal preference and your level of curiosity about the energy associated with the different techniques.

Breath of the Sun
This is the simplest breath and has two levels:

In the simplest form the postures are done one after another breathing an in-breath or an out breath on each posture. One round of the twelve postures is completed in six complete breaths.
The second method is to breathe one complete breath with each posture. One round of the twelve postures is twelve complete breaths

The Ujjayi Breath
It is very important to integrate the Ujjayi Breath into whatever breath work you do with the postures.

Breath of Light

The Breath of Light is accomplished by breathing an in-breath or an out-breath on each posture as in the "Breath of the Sun". In addition to the in-breath and out-breath is the silent meditation upon one of the Names of the Archetypal aspects of the Creator. The Spiritual Qualities of these Archetypal Personalities are awakened within by concentration upon their names. This is the breath shown next to each posture.

The Breath of the Elohim
Yasodhara & Buddha's Breath
The Breath of Uma & Brahman

Each of these three breaths can be integrated with the Sun Salutation in two ways:

The First Method is to breathe an in breath or an out breath with each posture. One round of the Sun Salutation would be Six Complete Breaths of the breath of your choice.
The Second Method is to breathe one complete breath with each posture. One round of the Sun Salutation would be twelve complete breaths of the breath of your choice.

The Intent

The intent of each posture can be expanded to many levels of healing and personal growth. One function of these postures is to enable a person to learn the knowledge of the subtle anatomy. The Ascension Reiki Symbols can also be focused on with each posture. As the intent is focused on the different layers of this knowledge the Reiki Energy flows through the anatomical aspects of our being and unfolds and opens us to a deeper awareness.

1
Breathe In and Out-- Hope
Gonads >>>Endocrine System
First Chakra

The Elohim

2
Breathe in-- Faith
Pancreas >>>Endocrine system
Circulatory System- (heart, veins, arteries, lymph)
Second Chakra

Logos of the Circle Seven

3
Breathe out-- Love
Adrenal Glands >>>Endocrine System
Digestive System
Third Chakra
The Wellspring of Nirvana

4
Breathe in-- OM
Thymus Gland >>>Endocrine System
Respiratory System
Heart Chakra
Breath of the Eternal

5
Breathe out-- Christ
Thyroid & Parathyroid >>>Endocrine System
Muscular System
Throat Chakra
Fountain of Youth

6
Breathe in-- Holy Spirit
Pituitary Gland >>>Endocrine System
Skeletal System
Third Eye- Chakra
The Shining Way

7
Breathe out-- God
Pineal Gland >>>Endocrine System
Brain and Nerve System
Crown Chakra Tai Chi T'u

8
Breathe in and out-- Mother Mary & Jesus
Circulatory System (heart, veins, arteries, lymph)-- Touch
(First Chakra- above the head)
Astral Body
(Below)
Root Chakra on Conceptual Vessel
Mother Mary & Jesus

9
Breathe in-- Yasodhara & Buddha
Digestive System-- Taste
(Second Chakra above the Head)
The Mind
(Below)
Second Chakra on the Conceptual Vessel

Yasodhara & Buddha

10
Breathe out-- Uma & Brahman
The Respiratory System-- Smell
Third Chakra above the Head
The Soul
(Below)
Heart Chakra on the Conceptual Vessel

Uma & Brahman

11
Breathe in-- Radharani & Krishna
The Muscular System-- Sight
Fourth Chakra above the Head
The Spirit
(Below)
Fourth Chakra on the Conceptual Vessel

Radharani & Krishna

12
Breathe out-- I AM THAT I AM
The Skeletal System-- Hearing
The Fifth Chakra above the Head
The Will
(Below)
Crown Chakra on the Conceptual Vessel

I AM THAT I AM