Join HSS in the 15th Annual Health for Humanity Yogathon
It has become a norm these days to grab our smart phones and check social media or weather, or news or texts or all of the above, even before rolling out of bed and getting a caffeinated beverage of one's choice. Time to break this unhealthy habit and join along with Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) which is now conducting the fifteenth annual "Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon" or "Surya Namaskar Yajna" (SNY). This 16-day event began on January 15, 2022, and ends on January 30, 2022.
Yoga was developed and practiced over 5,000 years ago by the ancient sages, called Rishis, in Bharat (India) who believed that each part of the body was in some way linked to a certain aspect of the natural world. In particular, the solar plexus called the Manipura Chakra (located behind the navel at the center of the body) is said to be intimately connected to the sun. The state of one's solar plexus is said to be linked to emotions and intuition, which is where the term "gut feeling" originated. The Rishis prescribed the practice of Sun Salutations in order to expand the solar plexus and achieve increased mental clarity, heightened intuition, and a tranquil emotional state. Something that we can all use more of these days.
Obviously, without the sun, life on Earth would not be possible. All life on the planet requires energy in some form for survival, and all of the energy in the Earth's biosphere originates from the sun. Sun Salutations thus provide us with the opportunity to offer our gratitude to the sun for its life giving energies. In a broader sense, the practice invites us to recognize that our existence is dependent upon something bigger than ourselves. Therefore, HSS conducts SNY to also coincide with the Hindu festival of Uttarayan which celebrates the transition to spring time.
Sun Salutations is one of the best ways to energize the body, sharpen the mind, and start the day with positive intent and gratitude. The Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) is a yogic technique consisting of twelve postures (asanas) practiced in a consecutive sequence. Repeating the sequence several times can serve as an invigorating warm-up prior to starting your yoga routine. However, if you only have a few minutes to spare in the morning, Sun Salutations can be practiced on their own as they are a complete exercise they engages every part of the body. As the name suggests, sunrise is the ideal time for yoga, as it lays a positive foundation for the rest of the day and synchronizes your body with the rhythms of nature.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively taken part in Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges. Regardless of individual faiths and beliefs, enthusiasts have participated and collectively performed over four million Surya Namaskars. Community leaders and many elected officials across the nation have appreciated this initiative and encouraged their residents to participate and gain the benefits of an overall healthy lifestyle. Health for Humanity Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. The honorable IL State Senate will be appreciating the SNY 2022 via the following proclamation: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=110&GA=102&DocTypeId=HR&DocNum=0606&GAID=16&LegID=137708&SpecSess=&Session=
This program is open to all people. For questions or suggestions, please email sny@hssus.org.
Details of this event, training resources, and advertising aids to make this project successful are available on the official HSS SNY website: www.hssus.org/sny.
HSS, the nation's largest Hindu-American organization, conducts a values education program for Hindu-Americans of all ages through its 251 branches nationwide. For more information, visit www.hssus.org