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    108 Sun Salutaions

    Posts: 1,236 Member
    edited February 25 in Fitness and Exercise
    Anyone here doing 108 Sun salutations on the eve of Summer Solstice?
    When? Where?

    I am - 21st June - Hershey PA

    Namaste. Peace.

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    • Posts: 611 Member
      Right down the road from me! Hola from central PA.
    • Posts: 156 Member
      I am! Just doing it at home, June 21st. Central Texas :smile:
    • Posts: 6,789 Member
      I hadn't considered it, since I'm already going to a different class that day (if you're interested, sequence here: http://iyengaryogainaustin.blogspot.com/). Maybe I'll do that on Sunday - at home, in Austin.
    • Posts: 3,661 Member
      why 108?
    • Posts: 27
      Is that a thing? Why 108?
    • Posts: 1,236 Member
      "The number's significance is open to interpretation. But 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads (plus one for the "guru bead," around which the other 108 beads turn like the planets around the sun). A mala is used for counting as you repeat a mantra—much like the Catholic rosary.

      Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Such phenomena have given rise to many examples of ritual significance.

      According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body."

      http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2579


      However at my yoga studio they do 108 Salutation at the change of every season. During winter some of the Salutations are Moon.
    • Posts: 340 Member
      bump to learn more

      namaste
    • Posts: 1,260 Member
      I will be observing this practice with my teacher. A small group of us will be meeting on the sunrise of the Solstice to perform the 108.
      Cornwall, UK
    • Posts: 3,661 Member
      so in other words, no one knows exactly why you do 108 lol.

      the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything: 108


      lol i don't mean to make fun. my only exposure to yoga was yogaX and it was extreamly challenging
    • Posts: 27
      Is this a Wicca + Hinduism fusion then? (I'm not being snide; I'm really asking.) Is summer solstice a significant date in Hinduism?

      108 sun salutations sounds like a great goal, and doing them with a community on summer solstice sounds like a wonderful (and triceps-exhausting) bonding experience. I'm just curious about the origin of the goal.

      *Edited to remove a superfluous preposition.
    • Posts: 29 Member
      the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything: 108

      nope. everyone knows the answer is 42.
    • Posts: 340 Member
      HOLY SHEEEEYAHT!!! excuse the pun

      are we talking 108 in a row? This would be an endurance event. Or is it 108 within the 24 hour Solstice?

      I'm totally down with this...... what a great thing to do 2 X per year. I'm really checking this out!

      Just in case - here is a Sun Salutation video. Call it a burpee times 1,0000000

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IUyY9Dyr5w

      Sweat Daily
      Todd
    • Posts: 3,661 Member
      show previous quotes

      nope. everyone knows the answer is 42.

      lol not anymore!
    • Posts: 27
      nope. everyone knows the answer is 42.
      Lol. Genau.

      *Edited to fix quotation function.
    • Posts: 3,661 Member
      Is this a Wicca + Hinduism fusion then? (I'm not being snide; I'm really asking.) Is summer solstice a significant date in Hinduism?

      meaningful season change events are probably a significant in nearly every ancient religion.

      christmass is the winter solstice
    • Posts: 49,213 Member
      In to learn more Pagan rituals. Interesting stuff that I have little knowledge about.

      A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
      IDEA Fitness member
      Kickboxing Certified Instructor
      Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    • Posts: 27
      show previous quotes

      meaningful season change events are probably a significant in nearly every ancient religion.

      christmass is the winter solstice

      There's some truth to that, and I obviously know the history of winter solstice --> Xmas = Christian invaders/conquerors attempting to supplant existing pagan holy days with new ones. I'm not as informed about Indian/Hindu religious history. The details would be intriguing, if anyone knows them.
    • Posts: 340 Member
      bottom line, a good one take about 2 minutes = 216 minutes of controlled breathing, stretching and who knows what else comes along.

      This is hard core!!!!!! to the max

      What is the nutrition plan for this? a 3+ hour fast?

      I am seriously interested in understanding.

      Check local areas, and calling my Tai Chi Sifu regarding this

      Todd
    • Posts: 1,260 Member
      bottom line, a good one take about 2 minutes = 216 minutes of controlled breathing, stretching and who knows what else comes along.

      This is hard core!!!!!! to the max

      What is the nutrition plan for this? a 3+ hour fast?

      I am seriously interested in understanding.

      Check local areas, and calling my Tai Chi Sifu regarding this

      Todd

      The whole "event" takes typically about 45 minutes as the flow is a lot faster than the usual vinyasa type session, but the breathing and the bandhas are brought into play still, which keeps the movement, flow and of course the body safe and strong throughout.

      Our room is usually heated to around 30C which results in the mat being soaked in sweat soon into the session.
    • Posts: 1,236 Member
      I'm not as informed about Indian/Hindu religious history. The details would be intriguing, if anyone knows them.

      To me yoga is a practice and from what I know, have been told and read. It ain't religious but spiritual. The origin is in India by a Hindu and it ends their. However I'm a Hindu. But it ain't owned by Hindus or by Indians jus' like a pull-up or a push-up. :wink:

      That being said we have 4 Seasons - Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, Winter Solstice and the reason I do 108 salutations 4 times a year (I will not say all are sun salutations b'coz in winter we tend to do moon salutations) is b'coz -

      1) I devote my time, my energy for something that is alot higher and mightier than I am, someone who doesn't need me but I need to survive - Sun.
      2) I try to achieve something that I haven't achieved in recent months. It is my way to test my potential since the last time I tried them. I have always come out a lot more humble than I have begun with the practice.

      Interestingly we do not need any kind of music during summer solstice I guess b'coz there is so much energy however during winter we have a more happy upbeat music going on and same 108 salutations feel a lot harder. It's interesting to observe.
    • Posts: 340 Member
      ok ok 45 minutes..... So moving along big time, almost a dynamic stretch session

      hmmmm,

      I want to find a place to do this

      sent text to Sifu

      I am in Bradenton/Sarasota FL

      It's Saturday right?
    • Posts: 1,236 Member
      Our room is usually heated to around 30C which results in the mat being soaked in sweat soon into the session.

      And then sleep like a baby. Ahhh!!!!
    • Posts: 6,789 Member
      bottom line, a good one take about 2 minutes = 216 minutes of controlled breathing, stretching and who knows what else comes along.

      This is hard core!!!!!! to the max

      What is the nutrition plan for this? a 3+ hour fast?

      I am seriously interested in understanding.

      Check local areas, and calling my Tai Chi Sifu regarding this

      Todd

      So Carl does this in the Ashtanga tradition in about 45 minutes. I've done it in the Iyengar tradition and it takes between 1.5-3 hours - with some time for headstand and shoulderstand, some standing poses, etc, during the longer event.

      As far as food goes, I wouldn't eat any differently than my for my normal practice - eat breakfast and a couple hours later, practice.
    • Posts: 6,789 Member
      Why 108:
      http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/why-108-sun-salutations/

      Someday I hope to do 108 drop backs.
    • Posts: 1,260 Member
      show previous quotes

      And then sleep like a baby. Ahhh!!!!

      - actually the pace (Ashtanga practice) leaves us all rocking and we usually spend a few more hours chatting, eating nice food and dancing. Its a great community event.

      - and then sleep like a baby! Shi-vas-an-aaaaa!
    • Posts: 644 Member
      I was hoping to do a mala for the summer solstice but don't think it will work out. I truly, deeply, need a rest day after being a bad ashtangi with 13 days of straight practice (1 moon day vinyasa that was less gentle than anticipated and 2 separate 2-3 hours handstand workshops on the saturdays). And the shala isn't organising one this year either as they are closed for renovations.

      I intend to chant the 12 names of surya instead.
    • Posts: 3,661 Member
      show previous quotes

      There's some truth to that, and I obviously know the history of winter solstice --> Xmas = Christian invaders/conquerors attempting to supplant existing pagan holy days with new ones. I'm not as informed about Indian/Hindu religious history. The details would be intriguing, if anyone knows them.

      i don't think its really that mystical, just meant to mark, keep track of, celebrate the passage of time and when to plant things, etc.
    • Posts: 4,555 Member
      Although I won't be practicing the 108 Sun Salutations, I will be invoking Reiki. It's not exercise, but I find reiki energy WAY more powerful during equinox and solstice. I'm exited :) My yoga master will be doing a program based on sun salutations on Monday. Namaste
    • Posts: 340 Member
      just talked to my Sifu
      he is black belt Kungfu, 5th degree TKD, and master Tai Chi

      he Said - "Saturday is the solstice, and I only strive to do a single Sun Solutation in 108 minutes!" " it is a focused, strength that we long for"

      hmmm, imagine stretching a 2 minute set of moves into a 108 minutes! That would truly be a slow, controlled, set of movement.

      and he finalized by saying- good one you Todd, that you are engaging such a wonderful time of season!

      This is a cool topic ya'll
    • Posts: 340 Member
      show previous quotes

      - actually the pace (Ashtanga practice) leaves us all rocking and we usually spend a few more hours chatting, eating nice food and dancing. Its a great community event.

      - and then sleep like a baby! Shi-vas-an-aaaaa!

      I want this!
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