Introduction

Surya Yoga, also known as "Surya Namaskar" is a type of yoga which is the salutation to the Sun. Surya is the fountain source of strength and vitality, light and effulgence and so. It naturally rules the heart, spine and constitutions of human body. A person"s life, health and well-being are truly dependent upon the Sun.

Philosophy of Suryayoga

Suryayoga is becoming popular today more than any other times earlier, both in the east and the west. The science and philosophy of Suryayoga comes from most ancient times, So it is necessary to understand the philosophy of Suryayoga.

By Practicing Suryayoga, one will find an inner peace that will radiate outwards and life will become one of greater joy and experience. The exercise of Suryayoga begins the person on a conscious journey to discover what simply is. Who are you? and what you can become?

Surya yoga is a conscious process of helping man to progress from Animal level to human level to God, man level to God level, at all personality levels. The nine fold path of Tapascharya like the Astanga Yoga deals with some of the greatest mysteries of life and the universe and so it must inevitably be associated with an atmosphere of profound mystery. The discoveries made in the field of Science are especially helpful in enabling the youth to conceive certain facts of Surya yoga.

Enlightenment Meditation of Surya Yoga can purify the multitude of thoughts, and develop consciousness in the person. Placed meditation is not a method but a process. Bliss, creative thinking, meaningful emotional experience and heightened sensory awareness are the results of Meditation. Those who attain real meditative status through Surya Yoga can talk and survive without food. Higher knowledge develops only through intuitions and inspirations. This universal phenomenon happens automatically in the deep meditative state internally through Suryayoga. An average person uses a maximum of about 10% of his mind. The balance 90% of the subconscious mind remains unused. With this technique one starts using his subconscious mind. These results in enhanced memory power, more concentration, more self-confidence, unconditional love, positive thoughts etc. The wisdom necessary to use knowledge properly is something that comes only with experience.

Healing through Sunlight

The human race evolved under the sun and for thousands of years lived in close harmony with its heat and light.The infrared rays originated from the sun are useful in the treatment of neuralgia, neuritis, arthritis, and sinusitis. In treatment of pains, heat plays an effective role. Warmth keeps our body energetic. It also keeps the skin smooth and protected. Plants get food from the sun in the photosynthesis process. The foods we get from plants stored the solar energy in it. Our bodies receive the solar energy from the food in the form of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic in nature. It is capable of killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, moulds, and mites in air, water and on surfaces. It also kills germs on our skin. For all types of skin diseases, Sunlight is a very useful treatment.

Sunlight also toughens and thickens the skin, making it less susceptible to injury and infection. Regular, controlled and moderate exposure to sunlight protects the skin by building up a natural resistance to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and give our body a nice soft texture.

When ultraviolet rays from the sun comes in contact with ergosterol, a fluid found just under the skin, they convert it to vitamin `D`, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. Ten minutes of daily exposure to sunlight will supply us with the entire vitamin `D` that we need. The principal function of vitamin `D` is to promote calcium absorption in the gut and calcium transfer across cell membranes. This contributes to strong bones and a contented nervous system. Ultraviolet light converts cholesterol in the skin to vitamin `D`. This vitamin is essential for the proper handling of calcium in the body and thus in the prevention of rickets and adult osteomalacia. Interestingly, people cant overdose on natural vitamin `D` from the sun, even with day-after-day exposure, whereas synthetic vitamin `D` supplements can easily cause vitamin `D` toxicity.

Sunlight plays an effective role in regulating almost all our bodily processes. Sunlight has been shown to increase our sense of well-being and to improve sleep. Ultraviolet light coming into our eyes stimulate the pineal gland, which helps to regulate our Circadian Rhythm (day and night activity cycles). It has been said, "Dark nights and bright days will help keep the hormones in the body functioning properly.

Resting heart blood pressure and respiration rates are all decreased after exposure to sun. This result is especially true if any of them were high to begin with. Blood sugar levels also can be stabilized.

It stimulates the production of more red blood cells, increasing the oxygen and thus increasing muscular endurance and helps the body in maintaining its defense against diseases. Sunlight has even been found helpful in the treatment of stomach ulcers.

Suryayoga Sadhanas

Surya Swami, the preacher of Suryayoga has given the following sadhanas:

Gazing
• Look directly at the sun as it rises or sets.
• Stand facing east at sunrise or west for sunset.
• Make sanklap to sun; look at the sun for a moment.
• Say the following: "You are my first guru. You are my nearest and dearest friend and you know what I need."
• Rub forehead and place silver or copper coin in 3rd eye position.
• Keep hands in Sun mudra position.
• Sit comfortably with back straight on a mat or chair.
• Place hands in Sun symbol position and keep touching body.
• Breathe through the coin in 3rd eye position.
• With each `in` breathe feel the `love energy` from the sun coming into 3rd eye.
• Breathe out all negativity and problems.
• One may repeat this affirmation coordinating it with breath: "Love in - Negativity out"
• Stay in this gazing position for 15 - 30 min.

Note: If Sun is too bright and the practitioner finds it difficult to gaze, he can bend his head and look at the sun through his eyebrows. New people can slowly increase gazing time from 5 min, increasing every 3rd day. Additional minute: While gazing, if the practitioner feels like, he can talk with God.

Meditation with Closed Eyes (duration 10-20 minutes)
• See the light in 3rd eye.
• Breathe in the love energy into 3rd eye.
• Breathe out the love energy throughout the body.
• Affirmation: "Love in - Love throughout"
• Now direct that love energy into heart.
• Feel heart filling with curative energies.
• As the blood flows through the heart, each molecule, each cell in blood is becoming energized and illumined.
• Move this energized blood to all parts of the body.
• The organs and glands are feeling very strong and healthy now.
• Experience the light everywhere.
• The light is all around the practitioner.
• The light is in the practitioner.
• The practitioner is the Light! Repeat mentally 3 times this affirmation - with conviction: "I am the Luminous Love Light of the World."
• Lastly, release the hand position and with eyes closed, bend down.
• Touch mother earth with palms and forehead.
• Take 2-3 deep breaths and let everything go.
• Come back to sitting Namaskar position.
• Rub hands together and palm the eyes.
• Feel the healing energy entering eyes.
• Blink 6-7 times getting used to the light.
• Slowly open the eyes.
• Bring hands in folded prayer position.
• The practitioner should bless himself.
• Surrender to the absolute, the supreme power.
• Wish everyone around with a loving smile and happiness.

Circle of Light
• Stand and clap minimum 324 times for good health.
• Squat and do kundalini blast: Pataki 3x, Boom 2x, Sizzle 1x, Silent 1x.
• "Ho - Ha" sound: (10 sec each direction) up/down, front, sideways, below, fast up/down - directional blessings.
• Face each direction and loudly say: "Oh Lord, grant us peace (East)" health (South), property (West), faith and unconditional love (North).
• Receive energy from the cosmos - with outstretched arms.
• Finally, sing a devotional song - encompassing all religions.
• Spread the light and love on one and all.

Benefits of Surya Yoga

Surya Yoga is an energetic, dynamic and rejuvenating style of yoga based on a unique series of Sun Salutations. The omnipotent Surya"s presence can change, arrange, reduce, remove imbalances and organise the chemical, bio-chemical, bio-electrical and bio-magnetic powers in living beings by practising Surya Yoga. Surya Yoga helps in revitalise energy and negates illnesses of the mind and body. It is a blend of yoga, nada (sound), rishi gyan and Gautama Buddha stage (silence).

Practise of Surya Yoga

Surya Yoga is done in nine steps, and when perfected can activate the body chakras or power points, opening up the path to self-realisation. Daily practicing of Surya Yoga will balance the five elements in the body. The best time to practice Surya yoga is at sunrise or sunset when the harmful ultra-violet rays are not present. Sungazing is the practice of staring at a sunrise or sunset for extended periods of time which has some truly amazing benefits, not only for a physical health, but also for the mental well-being and spiritual development.