Salute to the Sun (Surya Namaskar)

Salute to the Sun is a perfect routine that most people can manage if they are shown how to do it correctly. If you have any physical limitations there are easier variants that may be suitable.

Each round has 12 poses (or asanas) and it is usual to do an even number of rounds so that both sides of your body get the same benefits. If you do 12 rounds you will have done 288 poses which is a great result. If done slowly, Salute to the Sun can be used as a form of meditation, if done fast it can be a workout that is hard to beat. 

Salute to the Sun is a full body workout, from top to toe, which also has breathing, balance, stretching, core, strength and spinal benefits. Not only that, it burns more calories than other workouts. Calories burned by a 30 minute workout are shown below:

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Weightlifting = 120 calories

Tennis = 230 calories

Basketball = 266 calories

Beach volleyball = 259 calories

Football = 290 calories

Bicycling (14 - 15.9 mph) = 332 calories

Rock climbing = 363 calories

Running (7.5mph) = 411 calories

Surya Namaskar = 416 calories