Workshop: Awaken Your Inner Sun

Kara-Leah, saluting the sun

by Kara-Leah Grant

Depending on the style of yoga we practice, surya namskar – or sun salutations – are the way we start our practice.

For most of us, it’s just a series of movements or asana that we do. This, then that, then that. Yet sun salutations contain within them a full body opening, plus the chance to stop and be present, giving thanks for the great gift of life.

When we do sun salutations, we are – quite literally – paying homage to the sun, the great giver of life. Bringing mindfulness of this into our practice deepens our connection to life, and changes the very way we experience this particular sequence of asana.

In this workshop, we’ll explore the nature of the sun, both within us and outside of us. We’ll look in-depth at each and every posture within a standard (is there such a thing!?) sun salutation and examine it’s true, underlying meaning – as we discern it to be. There are no right answers here – just an exploration of yoga from the inside out!

We’ll also play with a few variations of sun salutations, beyond the A and B that most of us know.

And lastly, we’ll look at how to integrate sun salutations into our daily home practice.

Through this three hour exploration of the sun, and of surya namaskar, we’re looking to ignite and awaken the sun that lives within each of us – that place we can all truly shine from.

It’s a wonderful way to prepare for Global Mala, coming on September 19th, when you’ll be encouraged to take part in an 108 sun salutations. Yes, 108! It is possible, and it’s not nearly so hard as you might think it is. For encouragement, check out this article What’s it like to do 108 sun salutations in a row?

You can also find out more about me by reading my yoga teacher profile on The Yoga Lunchbox, Dunedin Yoga Teacher: Kara-Leah Grant.

Awaken Your Inner Sun is on Saturday August 21st, from 10am until 1pm. The investment is just $40 for waged, $30 unwaged. You can book through the studio on 03 477 1180.