SOORYANAMASKAR:
Sooryanamaskar is a traditional exercise especially in Maharashtra. As an exercise it is done by many people but if the number is restricted to twelve it is mainly a form of Sun Worship than any exercise

The physical exercises which we do address the body in such a way that the strength, flexibility and endurance increases. For gain in strength weight training is the exercise of choice. For flexibility training Yoga Asana is the exercise of choice. For endurance training there are many exercises like jogging, cycling and swimming. Sooryanamaskar addresses all the three components of fitness in a limited way.

The strength used in this exercise is to lift the body from the ground with the help of both the hands and in lifting the body up on one leg in the 9th position.

Flexibility involved is mainly of forward bending and stretching of inner and back of thigh muscles in the 2nd and 3rd poses. Front of the body is also stretched in the 6th pose. Calf stretch is done in the 7th pose.

If the exercise is limited to 12 repetitions then there is not much benefit as far as endurance is concerned. However if the duration is increased to 30 min this can be a very good endurance exercise to train cardio respiratory system.

Standing in the sun benefits the skin and formation of vit D.

If this exercise is used to energies the six chakras then it can be a good exercise for the energy body as well.

However there are certain drawbacks to this exercise if complimentary exercises are not instituted. This is not a complete exercise on its own because there is no single exercise which improves strength of all muscles, improves flexibility of all joints and improves cardio respiratory endurance. Thus one must add other exercises to this.

Ideally this exercise is best suited as a warm up exercise before doing any exercises. It fulfills many criteria of a warm up exercise. Rotational stretches like Ardhamatsyendrasana and backward bends like Dhanurasana must be added after doing this exercise.