Sun Salutations limber up the whole body in preparation for the asanas (stable postures) in yoga practice. The movements allow us to honour the yang or masculine side of our energy. Just as the sun rises each day and warms the earth, the movements wake up the body; they are often practiced at dawn. They are a graceful sequence of twelve basic positions performed as one continuous exercise. Each position counteracts the one before it, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing. Practised daily, they will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints as well as trimming your waist. One round of Sun Salutations consists of two sequences, the first leading with the right foot and the second with the left. Below is an illustration of the 12 positions.
