In Hindu mythology, the sun god is worshiped as a symbol of health and immortal life and as a symbol of rising consciousness. The Rig Veda declares that "Surya is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings". The Sun Salutation originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally, it is performed at dawn, facing the rising sun. In time, each of the twelve positions came to have its own mantra, celebrating aspects of the sun's divinity.

This Tantric based Sun Salutation practice is a graceful sequence of twelve positions performed as one continuous exercise making it a form of moving meditation guided by the breath.   Each posture is combined with the chanting of full sun mantras, its awakening mantra; the seed sounds of the mantra (beeja), eventually moving towards awareness on the associated energy centers of the body (chakras), and incorporating the practice of breath retention. 

Our practice begins with a series of 4 purificatory pranayama (breath control) practices balancing the natural flow of subtle energy in the body as preparation.  We conclude our practice with a period of meditation.  This class involves subtle body theory as it relates to the physical body based on Tantra Yoga.

Divinitree Yoga and Art Studio
1043b Water Street @ Seabright
www.artandyogasantacruz.com
$10-20 drop in
series rate available
Wednesdays 8:00-9:15AM