What a glorious sunny September day. Living near a Great Lake, I frequently rise early to drive down to the lake to catch the sunrise, taking in her light and warmth. Of course, there is a moment of meditation involved and some mindful movements, but many times I just sit. Just sit in the wonder of this ball of fire that warms my skin and without it even knowing it’s own power to bring a smile to a persons face especially after days of clouds and rain.

What got me thinking about the glorious sun is a comment I heard the other day. A person whom I do not know, would not practice Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) in yoga because she does not believe in worshipping the sun. I believe this was coming from a place of religion/religious dogma, though I can’t be sure. So as I have been pondering this for several days, clearly ‘burning’ up my thoughts, here is what I have surmise…

The sanskrit word for Sun Salutation is Surya Namaskara. In simple terms, surya is sun and namaskara means the act of greeting/saluting. I love to do sun salutations first thing in the a.m., whether I am by the lake at sunrise or not, facing the east but not looking directly into the sun (never a good idea!).

So here are a few of my Why’s to practicing Surya Namaskara:

Awareness through senses and layers.

I start my day being aware how my physical body is feeling after stretching, bending, moving which can be the guide to what I do physically the remainder of my day. If I have some joint swelling, tender areas, I know what needs to be avoided. I feel the sun warming my face, smelling the fresh dewy air, seeing the magnificent trees, grass and water, hearing the sounds of birds, people, even the city sounds as it begins to awaken and sensing the taste of sweetness (which for me is symbolic as to how I hope my day plays out). It’s a full body sensory experience…and it’s free! We all need this sun.

Aware of my mental state. When I move and let breath lead, my mind thoughts become less persistent to grab my attention. I am present with all of it.

Aware of my emotional state. After several sun salutations, a quiet stillness and calmness allows me to end with meditation and contemplation.

Healthy Movement. Morning movement of any kind is beneficial for gut health/proper digestion and sun salutations are just the right thing! Also, no matter my pace, which in the a.m. starts out slow and moves to moderate, I can feel my heart beating/pulsing a little stronger so I know this is good for heart health. You don’t always have to go on a run to get your heart rate up.

Gratitude….When I face east it is a reminder of ‘wow, I’m alive another day, another day to smile, another day to play with grandkids, another day..."

Science tells us that without the sun, there would be no life on earth..…no humans, plants, animals. Earth would be a frozen ball. Why would I not bow/greet the sun? Maybe practicing sun salutations would bring about a society that had a little more respect for what it right before us, then perhaps we wouldn’t be having to talk about environmental crisis. The sun is a source of life.

I could get into the origins of sun salutations but I think it’s important for people to experience and feel, not read and remember.

If someone refuses to practice sun salutations due to a religious belief, that is fine. I respect all faiths and beliefs and want everyone to feel welcome in a yoga class. But I am sure my God would love to know that I'm, at the very least, respectful of this beautiful star.

I do feel that this sun is a gift but it’s not our gift. It is not ours, this earth is not ours, the lakes, the forests are not ours…we are just temporary beings who actually need these to survive our temporary lives. So while I am here, moving the best I can, I plan to hold a special moment daily to celebrate with gratitude that I am a living, feeling, thinking, spiritual being who holds all of ‘this’ as a blessing.