We Improve What We Pay Attention To

108 Surya Namaskars: Beyond the Physical

On January 17th, we gather for our annual community event - YOGAMAALA: a practice of gratitude - offering up to 54 rounds of Surya Namaskars at Chinmaya Mission Yamunotri, Grayslake, Il. But this isn’t just about completing 108 rounds—it’s about transforming a physical practice into something larger, as yoga was always meant to be.

A practice of Integration and Connection.

We improve what we pay attention to.

We are not just physical structures, but feeling, breathing selves that want to manifest the best in us. So we need a practice for each of these layers to fully nourish ourselves. What if we can anchor and get inspired by something universal ever available and the very source of life as inspiration.

The Sun can be our closest hero to inspire us—connecting us within and to the greater universe as we are one solar family.

In Surya Namaskar practice, pay attention to:

→ The form — improve your physical body alignment, strength and flexibility

→ The rhythm— pose/counterpose; movement and Pause in the pose; Inhale / Exhale; Up/ down; this rhythm of duality itself fees us up everything we return to the starting point.

→ Breath — regulate the functioning of organs, improve energy

→ Qualities of the sun — apply them and improve emotional health. We can start with the first quality of Being a friend to All.

→ Sound of the chants — Chant the names or listen the Names of the Sun to develop focus and concentration, feedback loop you create hearing what you chant.

→ Internal points of focus — Fix the gaze on specific body parts with each posture. improve interoception, knowing yourself in a new way from within, inside out.

→ The ever-present awareness — consciousness, the inner light that guides you to your best self.

OM Suryam Sundara lokanatham amrutham

Vedaanta saaram shivam
Jnanam Brahmamayam Suresha mamalam

Lokaika Chittham Swayam

IndrAditya naraadhipam Suragurum

Trailokya choodamanim

Brahma Vishnu Shiva Swarupa hrudayam

Vande Sadaa Bhaaskaram

It's part of hymns venerating Surya as the divine, ever-pure essence of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the ultimate light, and bestower of all blessings.

We recognize the Sun in all its beauty and splendor as the supreme ruler, source of knowledge, embodiment of all three aspects - Creation, Sustenance and Regeneration, and the essence of Vedanta, bringing light and auspiciousness.

Let us take this opportunity to connect our body mind and spirit with each step and each breath at a time to be fully present.

Each round is an opportunity for a reset and restart and ever fresh.

Join us January 17th. See you on the mat. ☀️