This is a page dedicated to the art of Vinyasa Yoga Sun Salutations. These variations were performed by Mark Giubarelli when he lived on Maui in 2010.
Surya Namaskara literally translates to sun salutations
Early publications record some ancient methods of sun salutation but are a lot different to the modern Sūrya Namaskāra practiced today. Even by the 1930's Surya Namaskara was not part of the yoga asana flows being practiced for it is relatively modern.
HOW OLD ARE SUN SALUTATIONS?
Sun Salutatuons (Namaskars) were first described around 1500 BCE in the Rig Veda, the oldest collection of sacred Hindu scriptures, , as a ritual prostration to the dawn, with mantras, offerings of flowers and rice, and libations of water. Surya Namaskara is not mentioned in the revered "The Yoga Sutras".
One of the earliest texts that mentioned the flow of Surya Namaskar is the Yoga Makaranda by Shri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Yoga Makaranda was Krishnamacharya's first book on the topic of Yoga, published in 1934. This was one of the first books to present the practice of yoga poses in a sequential manner (Vinyasa-krama), a method unknown at that time to the general public.
A basic Sun Salutation flow with a smooth 3 part backbend flow.
Total Duration: 02:45
No1
This flow shows an interesting stretch of the quadriceps during the flow.
Total Duration: 01:47
No2
Shows a progression of the previous flow with Bow pose blended in.
Total Duration: 03:12
No3
See versions of the locust pose blended in a Sun Salutation.
Total Duration: 02:00
No4
Sun Salutation with many standing poses, Crescent Moon and 2 Bound arm poses.
Total Duration: 02:45
No5
Variations of the bound angle flow. Standing poses are sequenced on the step back.
Total Duration: 02:16
No6
Shows how arm balance poses flow with many standing poses and hamstring stretches.
Total Duration: 02:57
No7
Another variation of the arm balance flow. Different standing poses on the way down.
Total Duration: 02:53
No8
Shows a variation of the Scorpion pose blended into a sun salutation.
Total Duration: 01:30
No11
This Sun Salutation has an interesting spinal twist with the step back.
Total Duration: 02:57
No12
Creates flexibility in the hips and also strengthens them while moving smoothly through a salutation.
Total Duration: 02:50
No13
This Sun Salutation is dedicated to the moments of deep faith in our life. Both seem to rise and fall throughout our lives.
Total Duration: 02:55
No14
This Salute to the Sun involves 2 side stretches and 2 spinal twists. The first side stretch is Triangle pose.
Total Duration: 03:58
No15
Warrior 1 flow that strengthens the quadriceps with repetitions into and out of the pose.
Total Duration: 03:38
No16
Shows a flow in and out of Cobra Pose and Downward Dog pose.
Total Duration: 01:49
No17
This Salute to the Sun involves 2 spinal twists after the step forward.
Total Duration: 04:17
No18
This Sun Salute has many repetitions involving the hamstring and hips.
Total Duration: 03:35
No19
This Sun Salutation has a blended flow of leg toners and leg stretches.
Total Duration: 03:44
No20
Open Leg Side
Shoulderstand Salute
A beautiful flow though hip openers, hamstring openers, backbends and shoulderstand variations.
Total Duration: 06:53
No21
Half Lotus Headstand
to Scorpion
Shows a basic Sun Salutation flow with a smooth 3 part backbend flow.
Total Duration: 03:02
No22
All the standing postures in this flow are sideways. This makes transitioning easy and smooth.
Total Duration: 02:30
No23
Half Lotus Tree flow involves entering Tree Pose and blends into many Half Lotus poses.
Total Duration: 00:38
No24
This Sun Salute enters Cobra 3 times in flowing wave like motions.
Total Duration: 02:47
No25
This Sun Salute weaves in and out of many of the Warrior 1 variations as well as into many spinal twists.
Total Duration: 03:10
No26
This sequence flows after the step forward into Extended Side Angle, Warrior 1, Warrior 2, and many other standing poses.
Total Duration: 01:36
No27
Sequence has hand and arm movements flowing from Extended Side Angle into Reverse Triangle.
Total Duration: 02:32
No28
This is a Sun Salute flow that flows through a deep backbend called Scorpion pose. It is a Sun Salute that is done after the back is warmed up and fully opened.
Total Duration: 01:37
No29
Warrior 2 pose is repeated many times in this sequence. Frequent entries into Warrior 2 really strengthen the quadriceps muscles.
Total Duration: 04:02
No30
This Sun Salutation shows a repetitive flow from Triangle pose to Warrior 1 pose. The flow then blends into a low lunge before stepping forward.
Total Duration: 03:33
No31
The leg takes many large motions one way then the other which is why it is named Pendulum Hip Flow.
Total Duration: 02:00
No32
Open Pigeon Twisted Standing Flow
This Sun Salutation really strengthens and stretches the hips. It moves in a very unusual way because there is no Cobra pose.
Total Duration: 03:03
No33
This Sun Salutation involves Pigeon pose and standing spinal twists to open the hips.
Total Duration: 02:30
No34
This sequence is called Falling Warrior because of the way the flow is brought to the knees.
Total Duration: 02:29
No35
Called the Long Turn Sun Salute because of the way it slowly progresses to the spinal twist Reverse Triangle.
Total Duration: 02:57
No36
This Sun Salutation flows up and down in side poses such as Extended Side Angle and Warrior 2.
Total Duration: 02:44
No37
An interesting arm balance called Koundinyasana is weaved into an interesting step forward.
Total Duration: 01:11
No38
The version of Warrior 3 has the arms out stretched out causing a feeling of flying.
Total Duration: 02:14
No39
Shows 3 standing poses blended together with the arms bound together.Total Duration: 02:16
No40
This Sun Salutation shows a repetitive flow from a lunge pose to a straight leg pose.
Total Duration: 03:40
No41
This Sun Salutation has many spinal twists breaking or splintering from it.
Total Duration: 02:31
No42
Involves a transition into Triangle pose at the beginning and end of the standing flow.
Total Duration: 03:28
No43
Reverse Triangle Crescent Moon Dip
This flow shows a nice entrance into Crescent Moon pose a deep lunge.
Total Duration: 03:46
No44
Shows a smooth flow from Extended Side Angle to Warrior 2 variation.
Total Duration: 04:36
No45
Simple Triangle to Crescent Moon
A nice simple flow in and out of Triangle Pose with Crescent moon blended between.
Total Duration: 01:12
No46
This is a lateral flow that moves into a high lunge pose.
Total Duration: 04:54
No47
This flow shows hamstring stretches blended with Crescent Moon Pose
Total Duration: 03:42
No48
In and out of a lateral side flow into a forward bend flow.
Total Duration: 04:35
No49
Lateral to forward bend Flow II
Show variations of a the previous lateral to forward bend flow.
Total Duration: 03:42
No50
This Triangle Flow shows a Sun Salutation variation with Triangle pose blended in.
Total Duration: 02:41
No51
This has warrior 3 prep pose (Warrior 1 leaning forward)
Total Duration: 02:58
No52
Shows a Sun Salutation with Warrior 1 pose blended in.
Total Duration: 02:35
No53
A simple Warrior 2 pose blended into a Sun Salutation with some forward bends.
Total Duration: 03:00
No54
Extended Side Angle Salutation
Shows a Sun Salutation with extended Side angle blended in.
Total Duration: 02:24
No55
A quick transition from Reverse Triangle to Half Moon.
Total Duration: 03:39
No56
Many of the traditional standing poses blended together.
Total Duration: 03:30
No57
A simple headstand Sun Salutation flowing into and out of headstand.
Total Duration: 01:11
No58
Reverse Triangle 3 Pose Blend
One of the favorite flows this flow blends well after warming up.
Total Duration: 01:19
No59
Reverse Triangle 3 Pose Blend II
Shows how the previous sequence can have other poses blended in.
Total Duration: 01:31
No60
A very artistic blend of Pigeon Pose shown with the arms open wide apart.
Total Duration: 03:48
No61
Shows an advanced flow with Feathered Peacock variation.
Total Duration: 02:38
No62
A variation of Extended Side Angle once performed by Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.
Total Duration: 02:43
No64
Headstand Flow
Shows ways to move the legs while in the headstand.
Total Duration: 01:24
No65
Moves through both of these lateral poses in a Sun Salutation.
Total Duration: 02:35
No66
A version of Triangle where the side is stretched blended with many other poses.
Total Duration: 03:09
No67
Shows artistic ways to blend Janu Sirsasana variations into a salutation.
Total Duration: 02:45
No70
Simple Extended Side Angle to Warrior 1 with Reverse Triangle blended between.
Total Duration: 01:47
No71
Shows a flow with many very old traditional poses not often performed.
Total Duration: 03:12
No72
Lateral standing poses are blended in and out in wave like motions.
Total Duration: 02:54
No73
Shows a flow that both strengthens and creates flexibility in the hips.
Total Duration: 02:00
No74
