June is a powerful month in the yogic calendar — one filled with radiant energy, collective purpose, and deep spiritual resonance. Each year on June 21st, we celebrate International Yoga Day, a global acknowledgment of this ancient practice that continues to uplift, transform, and unify people across the world.
At Ananda Wellness, we’ll be honouring this day all month long. Together, across each of our class groups, events & retreats, we’ll embark on a beautiful collective journey — completing 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskars) throughout the month of June.
But before we roll out our mats and begin counting repetitions, let’s explore the deeper significance behind this sacred practice.
☀️ What Are Sun Salutations / Surya Namaskar? 🌞
Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutations, are a dynamic sequence of postures traditionally practiced to greet the sun and awaken the body, mind, and spirit. This flowing sequence links movement with breath and balances strength with surrender — making it both a physical and spiritual practice.
Each round is like a moving meditation, an offering of gratitude for the light that sustains us — externally and internally.
☀️The Sun as the Teacher: Origins & Symbolism 🌞
In ancient cultures — especially in the Vedic and Hindu traditions — the sun has long been revered as the giver of life, bringer of wisdom, and a divine teacher. In Hindu mythology, Surya, the sun god, rides a chariot drawn by seven horses, symbolizing the seven colours of the rainbow and the seven chakras in the human body. This vivid imagery reflects the deep understanding of energy, healing, and inner alignment that was present in ancient yogic wisdom.
Chanting the Gayatri Mantra, a sacred hymn dedicated to Surya, is a way to invoke spiritual light and clarity, calling in illumination for both mind and soul.
Translating in English: “We meditate on the divine brilliance of the Sun, the source of all life.May that radiant light illuminate our intellect and guide us on our path.”
Even modern science agrees — sunlight plays a vital role in regulating our circadian rhythms, boosting our mood, and supporting digestion and immunity. In Ayurveda, (the science of Yoga) sunlight is considered a form of subtle nourishment. Gentle morning sun exposure is said to ignite our agni (digestive fire) and bring balance to the doshas.
Whether viewed through myth, science, or spiritual lens. the sun remains an essential guide and teacher.
🔢 Why 108 Sun Salutations? 🌞
Now, you may be wondering — why 108? It’s more than just a number!
In yoga, 108 is a sacred and symbolic number. Here are some fun and fascinating reasons why:
🌞 There are 108 energy lines / channels (nadis) converging at the heart chakra.
🌞 The distance between the sun and the earth is roughly 108 times the diameter of the sun.
🌞 A mala, or prayer bead necklace, traditionally has 108 beads — used for counting mantras and breaths.
🌞 In astronomy, the moon is about 108 times its own diameter away from Earth.
🌞 This number carries the vibration of wholeness, cosmic alignment, and spiritual awakening.
Completing 108 Sun Salutations is not just a physical feat — it’s a full-body meditation, a ritual of endurance, surrender, and light.
Let’s Salute the Light — Together!
Whether you complete your 108 over the course of a month or in one flowing session, every salute counts. This practice is more than movement — it’s a way to connect with the sun within you, the light around you, and the collective energy of community.
As we rise, bow, breathe, and move through each cycle, remember:
“During your yoga practice, it’s important to cultivate appreciation and gratitude for both your breath and your body. When you include an appreciation for the sun, the light, and all of the teachers who have come into your life, it elevates your practice and your experience even more.”
Sun Salutations are a beautiful way to open your heart, build heat, and connect deeply — not just to yourself, but to a greater source.
Across traditions, languages, and spiritual paths, saluting the light is a shared human ritual. Surya Namaskar reminds us that we’re all seekers, following rays of truth, warmth, and healing.
I invite you to journey with us — one Sun Salutation at a time — as we build toward our collective 108. Whether you’re in class, practicing at home, or joining us online, your presence adds to the light.
Let’s move. Let’s breathe. Let’s unite.
Let’s Salute The Light!
