108 Sun Salutations

Yesterday Fireflow hosted 108 sun Salutations to raise money for Arthritis Research. It was during a yoga teacher training weekend so we all had no choice, we had to do it. I will admit I was abit frustrated I wasn't going to be having my led primary class, as I'm on a real role with my practice, but I was not really aware of the challenge ahead of me. I really didn't think that 108 sun salutations would be hard, because in my eyes now nothing is as disciplining as Ashtanga.

Why do 108 sun salutations?

There are many reasons why we choose the number 108, as its a sacred number in yoga, stemming from hinduism, buddism and  other religions. Malas, garlands and prayers come in a string of 108. There is usually a guru bead, and then the beads around can turn like planets. The beads are known as malas, which are used to count mantra's as they are repeated. These can be used to count as we perform the 108 sun salutations.

  In the Vedic culture mathematicians also define 108 as the wholeness of existence as the number connects the Sun, Moon and Earth. The average distance between our Sun is 108 times the diameter of Earth. 

In yoga there are 108 marma points (sacred) points on the body, and 108 sacred sites throughout India.

i have named only a few reasons but from this you can choose whichever reason you choose to do  this ritual, or combined all. But now 108 will always be a special number in my heart.

How did we do it? There were 6 sets of 18 sun salutations. Between each set we took a few minutes break. 

Set #1: Half sun salutations

Set # 2: Surya namaskar A (without holding downward dog)

Set #3: Surya namaskar A (with 5 breaths in downward dog)

Set #4: Surya namaskar  B (with 5 breaths in downward dog)

Set #5: Surya namaskar A (with holding down dog)

Set # 6: Half sun salutations

Well I may have been wrong. Not only is that many sun salutations hard, its mentally challenging as well. It's repetitive and requires discipline in all forms. In your physique, in your focus, and in your strength. Without that your practice would have been thrown off balance. Not at any point did I try to count, because knowing how far away I was from 108 would have got me frustrated. It was hard to stay focused on your asana's, particularly when holding downdog. However the moment your mind wonders the moment you loose rhythm and form. For the second round, we were stepping to the front of the mat versus jumping in, and then you had to think about which foot first, ensuring your legs were prepared enough to make the long step etc. 

The first set was challenging just in the fact of resisting fully throwing myself into the practice. Keeping knees slightly bent as the muscles warmed, and paying attention to bundhas and dristi.

We practiced the 4th round to music as it would help energize us and move with our rhythm. I made a bad mistake in noticing that I would have to do 36 dreaded Utkatasana's. But luckily once in the flow of Surynamaskar B my focus was on the breath and positioning of my body.

Without music there was such a cool meditative sense around the room. Everyone was so focused on the practice and the energy was strong. The breaths were in unison, which could no doubt keep anyone on track. I really believe without a class full of people this ritual would have been even more challenging.

During set 3 the yoga teacher trainees spoke through a full vinyasa, which was also pretty cool, it brought us together in unison. We bounced from one person to the next and no one seemed nervous at all, considering it was speaking out loud to a full class of people, versus just each other. Well done all of you.

So ultimately it was a great experience and really pleased that I had to do it. Now I know this is a fun thing to do, which I would do out of choice, and maybe one day teach. I think it's an excellent way to raise money as people could treat it as a sponsored event. The class is perfect for people of all levels, as it brings so much to everyone. Thanks Fireflow for hosting such a great event.

Check us out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rSJkkgbhDAI

Namaste!