We volunteer for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, a US-based non-profit organization that aims to promote community spirit and ideals among Hindus residing in the United States. Our focus is to instill the values and virtues of Dharma in our next generation and contribute to the overall physical, intellectual, and spiritual development of local communities. With this core idea in mind, we have been organizing Surya Namaskar Yajna – The Health for Humanity Yogathon every year around mid-January, wherein we reach out to local communities to perform this unique routine of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) Yoga that can significantly improve our overall health and well-being.

This Sun Salutation Yogathon (SNY) is a nationwide effort to create awareness about yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, intellect, and spirit.   In the 2010 Yogathon, more than 9,000 people from 40 states performed nearly 950,000 Surya Namaskar, and realized the potential of this project in contributing to their positive health. HSS encourages its members at its 150+ centers across the country, and all interested people and organizations to perform one million repetitions of   Surya Namaskar.

We appreciate your time and interest in finding out more about us. If you want to learn Surya Namaskar, visit our Resources page. If you have further questions or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] or call at 973-500-8HSS (8477).

1) What is Surya Namaskar ?

One Surya Namaskar is a sequence of 10 simple asanas (Yoga postures) performed gracefully. Surya Namaskar is a Sun Salutation that is traditionally performed at dawn facing towards the rising sun. Its roots can be found in the yoga philosophy of Vedic traditions. The routine helps develop all five personality levels, namely physical, prana, mental, intellectual, and spiritual. This helps individuals to lead a very healthy lifestyle with a profound sense of well-being.

2) What are the benefits of Surya Namaskar ?

Surya Namaskar in a set of ten yoga postures provides good exercise to the whole body, calms the mind, and sharpens the intellect.

• Surya namaskar energizes the entire neuroglandular and neuromuscular system of the body and its regular practice ensures a balanced supply of oxygenated blood and perfect harmony to all the systems of the body thus involves the entire psychosomatic system of human constitution.
• Surya-namaskar is a complete exercise to all the muscles and joints of the body. It tones all the muscles of the body and reduces fat thereby helping to control obesity and metabolism of the body..
• It strengthens the spine and abdominal muscle to control nervous system and activity of the internal organs.
• It expands the rib-cage, increases the capacity of lungs making the breath smooth and easy.
• it activates the glands and regulates the hormone.
• It encourages the lymph drainage thereby increasing the immunity and resistance of the body.
• It increases the circulation of the whole body thereby acting as an excellent cardiac workout to enhance the blood circulation and warming up the body.
• It increases concentration, memory, learning and focusing ability and vigilance.
• It is relaxing and rejuvenating, and tension, stress, and anxiety melt away as you perform Surya Namaskar.
• Surya Namaskar practice stimulates and conditions virtually every system in the body. It is good for the heart and stimulates the cardiovascular system. It oxygenates the blood and helps strengthen the heart. Surya Namaskar is good for the digestive system and the nervous system. It stimulates the lymphatic system and supports respiratory system health, as well.
• Surya Namaskar is an excellent alternative to caffeine and other stimulants. If you suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances, you will find practicing Surya Namaskar aids in helping you fall asleep without the need for depressants.

3) Who should and should not practice Surya Namaskar?

Surya Namaskar Yajna is appropriate for every age group with certain limitations and subject to medical conditions.  Pregnant women should not practice after the first 3 months. People with high blood pressure or heart disease should consult their physician before practicing Surya Namaskar. People with back pain should also consult a physician before practicing Surya Namaskar.

4) How to do Surya Namaskar ?

Different schools of yoga do Surya Namaskar with slight variations. There are more than 40 forms of Surya Namaskar. This site presents easy to follow instructions and videos on How-to-dos. Use the flyer or poster to print instructions to be used during practice

5) What is Yajna?

Yajna generally means sacrifice or service. The meanings of yajna are varied. Yajna can also refer literally to the havan/fire ceremony, where we sit around a fire, placing offerings into the flames. Yajna is normally performed with the objective of ushering in success and/or prosperity. HSS is starting the Surya Namaskar Yajna with the objective to inculcate the yoga practice, and consequently, health, in our daily life.

6) Why Surya Namaskar Yajna ?

Our goal is to promote physical and mental well-being by means of Surya namaskar – a basic sequences of yogic postures.

Simple asanas (postures) for physical development
Mental, intellectual and spiritual development
Inculcate the Yoga practice in our daily life
Lead a healthy lifestyle with
Eternal bliss

7) When do we practice Surya Namaskar?

The best time to practice Surya Namaskar is early in the morning on an empty stomach during Sunrise. You may or may not see the sun based on the location of your practice.

8.) How many positions are there in Surya Namaskar?

The Suryanamaskar is done in more than 40 different styles all over the world.
There are set of well-balanced movements that will stretch all the muscles in the body.
HSS has devised a 10-step routine of Surya Namaskar that is simple to follow.

9) How can I join the Surya Namaskar Yajna?

Please visit the Shaka/Balagokulam near you or visit http://hssus.org/sny
Practice Surya Namaskar everyday during the Yajna period.
Keep the count on the Individual/Family tracking sheet.
Once a week submit it to local Shakha/Balagokulam coordinator.

Continue to do it even after the yajna. Do it every day the rest of your life, and experience the wonders!

10) What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar is the Zodiac Sign of Capricorn, and Sankranti means change/transition or sankramaNa

Makara Sankranti falls close to January 14th (it could be 15th). This is one of the very few festivals in India that is based on the solar calendar. It is a day of great significance and marks the beginning of the Sun entering the Makara Raasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn – goat). This signifies the onset of “ Uttarayana”. Uttarayana marks the end of a long winter with the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere and hence the name Uttarayana (Uttara – North).

11) What is Ratha Saptami?

Ratha Sapthami is the seventh day after the new moon (Amavasya) in the month of the Thai (mid-January – mid-February). Again the exact date varies as it is based on the lunar calendar.

Ratha Saptami is also known as Surya Jayanti, the appearance day of the Surya, the Sun god.
Mythologically, it is said to be Sun god’s birthday. It is celebrated in a number of Hindu temples everywhere.

12) Which day is celebrated as Global Surya Namaskar day?

Kreeda Bharathi in India celebrates the Ratha Saptami day as “ Global Suryanamaskar day”.

13) What is the meaning of Surya Namaskar starting sloka?

Always worship the Sun [ Our Energy Source ] sitting at the center of the galaxy, on a lotus, wearing Keyur, Makarkundal Crown, holding Conch and Chakra and having glittering golden body.

14) What is meaning of the Surya Namaskar ending sloka?

Those who regularly perform Suryanamaskaras attain healthy long life. They become strong, knowledgeable and have the courage to fight with valor. They possess brightened personality.

15) Why did the spelling change?

Spelling Sanskrit words in English has many school of thoughts. There are many variations like Yajna, Yagna, Yadnya, Yagya etc.