It’s the day of the summer solstice – HOLLA! If you non-yogis are unsure about the excitement of this day, don’t worry – I’ll fill ya in.
The number 108 is a sacred number in both Hinduism and yoga. The practice of doing 108 sun salutations (or Surya Namaskara as known in Sanskrit) is in direct relation to the 108 mala beads (AKA prayer beads). The sun salutations are performed on the first day of each season to recognize the change each season brings to us and to the world. Think of today as your chance for a new start!
All in, performing 108 sun salutations takes nearly two hours to complete. You might be asking “who in the heck wants to do all those sun salutations in a row?” Unfortunately, not a certain blogger with a shoulder funk still lingering about… BAH.
If you’re looking for somewhere to get your yoga on today – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – here are two opportunities I know of:
- at Wendy Park in Cleveland: the wonderful Ginny Walters is gathering at 7:00PM tonight
- down in the Akron area: check out the Akron Yoga 2012 Summer Solstice Festival in Virginia Kendal
Wow, that is such an interesting tidbit! So cool, you are learning so much in your training and sharing it here, which I love. And um, I really hope your shoulder gets better! that sucks!!
I think I’m glad I didn’t know this when I did my hour of yoga this morning.
(although it felt like about 108 sun salutations!)
I’d be interested to know about your chaturanga modifications. I have a little shoulder funk going on myself (& a pinched nerve
).
So interesting! I’m just starting to experiment more with yoga, although the class I liked the best at the gym doesn’t fit my schedule. Just got a dvd from the library to get a little in this evening!