Lack of physical exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc in our life. In the case of students, the importance of physical activity becomes all the more imperative. A properly designed routine with enough room for exercise allows them to stay:

• Physically & Mentally Alert
• Highly Concentrated
• Strong with Memory
• Happy and Calm
• Highly Efficient
• Metabolically Strong

Tweaking the lifestyle a little can bring in a huge difference. The best way to begin is by embracing the traditional science of yoga that allows you to strike balance between your mind and body.

And among the many asanas (poses) of yoga, one of the highly popular and recommended ones is Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation).

Composed of 12 yoga poses, Surya Namaskar makes for a wholesome workout for students with numerous health benefits. The efficiency of Surya Namaskar in boosting physical health and mental balance has helped the yoga type earn favours from yoga enthusiasts around the globe.

This is the reason; this precious gift we received from our ancient sages has been made part of the grand celebration marking the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. As part of this, registrations have been invited to perform 75 crores Suryanamaskar with the sole aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle for every individual.

If you are yet to embrace this yoga practice, this is indeed the right time to join the bandwagon and experience the wonders of Surya Namaskar. And to give you a better insight into the advantages Surya Namaskar offers, we’ve listed down each of the 12 poses along with their benefits.

1. Pranamasana (Prayer Pose): The very first pose, helps relax your nervous system to relieve stress and anxiety. It allows you to study with a clear mind.

2. Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose): As students, it is common for you to feel exhausted or fatigued. But you can easily overcome this feeling by doing this pose which relaxes the abdominal muscles.

3. Hasta Padasana (Standing Forward Bend Pose): Do you struggle with frequent headaches, anxiety or stress? Hasta Padasana is your go-to yoga poses to relieve discomfort.

4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana ( Lunge Pose): This pose strengthens your spine and increases your lung capacity. Moreover, it also helps in relieving problems related to indigestion and constipation.

5. Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose): As students, you are required to sit for quite a long time during your studies. This pose takes care of your posture as it includes stretching of arms, shoulder, chest, and spine.

6. Ashtanga Namaskar (Eight Limbed Pose): This pose also helps increase flexibility and strengthens your body muscles.

7. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Another great pose to keep your muscles relaxed and tension free. It stretches your shoulders, back, chest, and spine.

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog): It calms your nerves and boosts blood circulation.

9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (High Lunge Pose): This pose keeps your spine health intact.

10. Hasta Padasana (Standing Forward Bend): Be it a headache, anxiety, insomnia, or stress, this pose offers relief from all these problems.

11. Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose): This pose does wonder in treating lower back pain and helping you overcome fatigue.

12. Pranamasana (Prayer Pose): Surya Namaskar culminates with the same pose it starts with. This pose helps relax your nervous system relieves stress and anxiety.

The 12 poses make for one circle which needs to be repeated by switching hand and leg positions. The round of Surya Namaskar will thus comprise 24 poses.

Surya Namaskar is among the easiest yoga methods to keep your body and mind active. Regular practice offers you long-term health goals. So, embrace a healthy lifestyle and make yoga a part of your everyday life to reap maximum health benefits.