Maybe you got the email already or saw the Facebook post, but if you didn't, let me fill you in. The Spring Equinox is fast approaching. You know that day when, even if the ground is still blanketed in snow, we New Englanders begin to see the end of this frozen world in sight. The eve of spring. The official date I'm referring to is March 20th. This year we've had a particularly long and cold winter in Maine, so when a friend, and fellow teacher, suggested this idea I jumped on board. 108 Sun Salutations to welcome spring.
So far when I have brought this up to my students (the adults) and friends and family I have been greeted with faces of disbelief and abject horror. "Why on earth would you do that?", they ask me. "Why 108?"
Well, in ancient yogi times 108 was considered to be the number of wholeness of existence. It is the average distance of the sun and the moon to earth (multiplication is involved here and I am no math whiz, so I'm going to trust the info given to me on this one). 108 is also the number of 'Upanishads' (ancient Indian texts). 108 is the number of beads on a mala (and a catholic rosary) so essentially, if a person completes 108 Sun Salutations that person becomes the mala.
Now that you have the reason for the number let me tell you why you should come and give a go with me.
1. I have never done this before so I am a beginner in this respect. My sources tell me that training for this is not necessary. It isn't like running a 5K. I am putting a lot of trust into those sources. I'm letting go of any fear that I can't do this. I know I can, and I know you can too.
2. We are breaking those 108 Sun Salutes into 4 sets of 27 with a break between each set to drink water, rest and use the facilities.
3. Yogis around the world are doing this on the same day, how cool is that! My husband referred to it as The Great Guinness Toast of the yoga world. Even cooler.
4. What else are you going to do to welcome spring? Clean your house? This is a great excuse to procrastinate cleaning. This is spring cleaning of the body, mind and soul.
5. Impress your friends and family. Ok, granted that is not a very yogic reason but I couldn't resist. :)
6. Practicing Sun Salutations is very meditative. We connect each pose in the vinyasa to our breath. Meditation has been proven very effective in reducing stress. If you are not someone who can sit still to meditate this might just be the ticket for you.
7. Think of the physical workout involved. What a great way to kickstart a healthy spring.
8. Completing this as part of a group has its benefits. A sense of community. We will do the counting so you won't lose your place, we will support each other when it starts to feel like it will not end, and we will all celebrate together when we finish.
9. It is a valid reason to escape your kids for an afternoon.
10. It is a challenge. Challenging yourself is an important way to grow as an individual. The sense of accomplishment after a real challenge is a blissful thing.
So, come salute the sun and welcome in spring with us. Be part of the global mala on March 20th. For details, give a call or email. Now, who's with me?
So far when I have brought this up to my students (the adults) and friends and family I have been greeted with faces of disbelief and abject horror. "Why on earth would you do that?", they ask me. "Why 108?"
Well, in ancient yogi times 108 was considered to be the number of wholeness of existence. It is the average distance of the sun and the moon to earth (multiplication is involved here and I am no math whiz, so I'm going to trust the info given to me on this one). 108 is also the number of 'Upanishads' (ancient Indian texts). 108 is the number of beads on a mala (and a catholic rosary) so essentially, if a person completes 108 Sun Salutations that person becomes the mala.
Now that you have the reason for the number let me tell you why you should come and give a go with me.
1. I have never done this before so I am a beginner in this respect. My sources tell me that training for this is not necessary. It isn't like running a 5K. I am putting a lot of trust into those sources. I'm letting go of any fear that I can't do this. I know I can, and I know you can too.
2. We are breaking those 108 Sun Salutes into 4 sets of 27 with a break between each set to drink water, rest and use the facilities.
3. Yogis around the world are doing this on the same day, how cool is that! My husband referred to it as The Great Guinness Toast of the yoga world. Even cooler.
4. What else are you going to do to welcome spring? Clean your house? This is a great excuse to procrastinate cleaning. This is spring cleaning of the body, mind and soul.
5. Impress your friends and family. Ok, granted that is not a very yogic reason but I couldn't resist. :)
6. Practicing Sun Salutations is very meditative. We connect each pose in the vinyasa to our breath. Meditation has been proven very effective in reducing stress. If you are not someone who can sit still to meditate this might just be the ticket for you.
7. Think of the physical workout involved. What a great way to kickstart a healthy spring.
8. Completing this as part of a group has its benefits. A sense of community. We will do the counting so you won't lose your place, we will support each other when it starts to feel like it will not end, and we will all celebrate together when we finish.
9. It is a valid reason to escape your kids for an afternoon.
10. It is a challenge. Challenging yourself is an important way to grow as an individual. The sense of accomplishment after a real challenge is a blissful thing.
So, come salute the sun and welcome in spring with us. Be part of the global mala on March 20th. For details, give a call or email. Now, who's with me?
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