By Atul Vyas
The Prashna Upanishad salutes Sun as “the omniscient one,” giving life to all creatures as it rises. So the Sun salutation is an expression of reverence to this life-giver deity called – the Sun.
The twelfth pose of Sun salutation is a Mudra or seal called Anjali mudra or Namaste posture. The first pose and twelfth pose are quite similar but not the same, and the little difference between them makes a big difference in the outcome.
Mudra in Sanskrit means a seal. It is used to signify a gesture, a mystic position of hands but when eye positions, body postures, and breathing techniques are also added to the position of hands then such positions are called Mudras. The different mudra forms produce certain states of consciousness which influence the mind, and body. There are 25 mudras in Hatha yoga. The science of Mudras considers the hand to be minor for body and mind.
The Anjali mudra is performed at the beginning and the end of one cycle of sun salutation.
Technique:
- From hast Uttanasana, bring your hands down while exhaling and joining the palms of both hands in front of your chest
- Make an angle of 60 degrees with upper arms and ensure palms are not hard-pressed against each other
- Breath normally with eyes closed and paying homage to the Sun – the source of life
Benefits:
- Provides flexibility to wrists and joints
- Stimulates Anahat chakra
- Activates coordination of right and left brain hemispheres
- Calms down the mind
- Promotes inner awareness
- The energy flow of the body is synchronized
(The author likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist.” He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India.)
