Yoga Wars: What exactly is the Surya Namaskar?

Yoga has come under fire after muslim groups have voiced their concerns after protesting against Modi government’s plans of including surya namaskar as part of Yoga drill in schools on 21 June. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has said, “It is against our religious beliefs and should not be forced on our children.” A Times of India report said that after repeated protests by the minority body, the government has decided to “trim” the drill and not include surya namaskar asana. While the minority communities feel its the Modi government’s way of enforcing “Hindu practices” on them forcefully, the government has maintained that 21 June celebrations have nothing to do with religion. Modi’s idea to take Yoga to schools is a great idea but only till it is kept away from politics and religion. As Sandipan Sharma of Firstpost  says yoga is linked to Hinduism has become like Kung Fu and transcended religious and cultural barriers. But what exactly is the surya namaskar?

It is the sun salutations pose and is a series of twelve physical postures. These alternating backward and forward bending postures flex and stretch the spinal column through their maximum range giving a profound stretch to the whole body, according to healthandyoga.com . The mantra that goes along with the asana when translated is “O, radiant Sun rising in the sky, please destroy the disease in my heart as well as diseases of my external body. Let inner and outer diseases of my body be destroyed by brilliantly shining Sun-the son of Aditi.”   Technically, the surya namaskar is another exercise to help keep you healthy. Hill Post makes a very poignant point where it states that the sun is universal and not a Hindu entity. “Yoga is a form of exercise and Surya Namaskar is one among the many exercises that are performed while doing Yoga.” Benefits of doing the surya namaskar are that is not only gives you a great stretch and keep you fit physically (it is extremely beneficial for your joints, ligaments and improves flexibility and posture), but is also does wonders for your mental and emotional health, says the Times of India . Another list of benefits as listed by YogaPoint.com  is it also stretches and strengthens the whole body. Improves efficiency of the internal organs. Helps to detoxify the body. Stimulates pingala/surya nadi which increases energy and stimulates digestion. Increases the prana in the body and helps to remove energy blockages.