Where is the optimal placement for Sun Salutations within a class sequence?

Support Team Updated by Support Team

Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, are traditionally used to warm up the body and to honor the energy of the sun. In a class sequence, the optimal placement for Sun Salutations is typically towards the beginning of the class, after an initial centring or grounding exercise.

Starting with Sun Salutations helps to:

  • Warm Up the Body: The dynamic flow of Sun Salutations generates heat in the body, preparing the muscles, joints, and connective tissues for more intensive poses that may come later in the sequence.
  • Establish Breath Awareness: The synchronized movement with breath in Sun Salutations helps students to connect with their breathing patterns, establishing a rhythm for the rest of the practice.
  • Set the Pace of the Class: Whether performed slowly or at a faster pace, Sun Salutations can set the tempo for the following sequences.
  • Transition into Standing Postures: After Sun Salutations, the body is primed to move into a series of standing postures or other flow sequences.
  • Offer a Full-Body Stretch: The sequence stretches and strengthens various parts of the body, offering a comprehensive stretch in a short span of time.

That said, while the beginning of the class is the most traditional placement, some teachers incorporate Sun Salutations intermittently throughout the class as a way to reconnect, re-energize, or transition between different sequences. The placement often depends on the class's overall intention and the specific style of yoga being taught.

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