Sun Breaths

A couple of folks have gotten in touch with me about what Sun Breaths are. It's a good reminder that we all come from different traditions and backgrounds. Today, then, we'll have a practice with lots of Sun Breaths. See what affect this kind of breath has for you. Did it bring the sun down to you, or are you up floating in the air? 

Sun Breaths

On the Kripalu mailing list I am on, I have heard this breath called Parvottanasana Pranayama.  The steps are: 
  • Exhale completely, and then as you inhale, raise your arms above your head. 
  • Hold the breath in and press your palms together over your head, extending the fingertips upward.
  • When you need to exhale, slowly lower your arms back to the knees. If you are standing, the hands lower back to the side.
If you know of this breath differently, please let me know and I can include your knowledge and observations.
  1. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
  2. Seated Sun Breaths (12x)
  3. Fold forward bringing chest towards floor, arms outstretched
  4. Hands behind sitz bones, gentle chest opener
  5. Hands on knees, cat/cow spine
  6. Seated Side stretch, one arm above head to opposite direction
  7. Repeat other side
  8. Table
  9. Cat/cow spine, moving with breath
  10. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
  11. Pedal heels, lift and lower legs, warming up
  12. Uttanasana  (Forward Fold)
  13. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
  14. Standing Sun Breaths (12x)
  15. Sun Salutations (12x); use the variation that you enjoy practicing. Begin with longer holds, eventually moving into salutations that flow with the breath.
  16. Samasthiti (Equal Standing)
  17. Pause; notice sensations of the breath
  18. Standing Sun Breaths (12x): Inhale face the right (twisting), exhale at center. Inhale facing the left (twisting) exhale center. Repeat. 
  19. Dandasana (Staff Pose)
  20. Sun breaths in Dandasana. If your lower back is collapsing, skip this. 
  21. Paschimottanasana  (Seated Foward Fold)
  22. Purvottanasana (Reverse Plank Pose)
  23. Matsyendrasana (Seated Twist Pose). Repeat other side. 
  24. Seated Sun Breaths (12x)
  25. Savasana

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