I did 108 Sun Salutations everyday for 30 days and it changed my life

So before you get your hopes up that this may be a weight loss story, I’d like to put out a disclaimer that this is not one.

I don’t know how and why I stumbled upon this challenge, but I am so thankful I did. Here’s the backstory.

I am 28 years old, a mother of a toddler in an unhappy space in life. I am not employed which makes me even more anxious about my future and in my mind the walls have been closing in on me.

Having grown up in India and with a mother who over-indulged me in fine arts and yoga, I take a natural liking towards my yoga practice. But since the past few years I have drifted away from all that. It was a dark period overall. Fast Forward 2022, I stumbled upon someone who practiced 108 sun salutations (a Yogic practice) on certain auspicious days of the year. I started researching into the practice and was amazed at what I was reading/hearing. I wanted to try it for myself. After a few failed attempts of barely completing 24 sets, something graced my practice. One random morning, with no intention of completing the 108 sets, I actually did it. I completed 108 sets of Surya Namaskars. It was surreal. I was sweating like a pig and there was this internal heat that powered me from within. It felt like I was charged 100%. I think I felt something that can be explained as a runner’s high. But even better. It lasted the whole day and I slept like a baby at night.

Here are a couple of things that transformed within me.

I had more energy

The first couple days I was so sore I couldn’t notice my energy levels. But as the first 3–5 days passed, I was easing into the practice and although at many phases I was dripping sweat and was breathless sometimes, by the end of the 90 min. I was an energy ball pumped for the day. I was cleaning, cooking, preparing activities for my toddler, all this before 9 am. Before she woke up. Even after she woke up, we would go for walks & play. I was never really tired physically and I felt more alert.

I learnt how to breathe

This might sound basic, but when we go through our everyday motions, even while working out we don’t really learn to take deep balanced breaths. As someone who has a hard time focussing and meditating everyday, the sun salutations were a form of moving meditation. Over time I would get so focussed, I experienced myself breathing in and out for the whole 90 min. And it felt so good. I almost forgot the workout. I was just on a constant cycle of repetitions and felt lighter as my poses became stronger and improved. I especially noticed my breathing helped in times of high-stress. I was able to calm myself sooner and really let go of what I couldn’t control — which was most things in life at that point . Being able to take deep breaths throughout the day, and staying balanced is a huge respite in troubled times.

I had more clarity

I am known to be a very uncertain person, that goes with the flow (a little too much) Sometimes, this quality leaves me feeling on the edge. Many times I know what I need/want but for a host of reasons I am not able to achieve my goals. It is either because I have an urge to keep everybody at peace and happy/I simply don’t take myself seriously or that I am unsure of something or the other. The focus however, that the sun salutations rendered me helped me navigate through this. I was able to prioritize better, be clear on my goals and go through with them without feeling accountable to anybody else. The brain fog was gone. I was more at peace with myself since I started this practice.

I learnt to let go & stay optimistic — Que Sera sera

As I mentioned earlier, I started this practice amidst a very difficult phase of life where uncertainty was riding high. The stagnancy was scary. I was unable to focus on anything because things were just not moving forward. I wasn’t getting a job, my relationships were messy, I was so financially and emotionally weak, I started to slip into depression. I felt as though I didn’t deserve anything good. In short, life was horrible and I loathed the present moment.

I am not saying that practicing 108 sun salutations magically turned everything around. But it magically gave me hope, strength and determination. However low or bad the day would be, I just made one promise to myself. To salute the rising sun every morning. 108 times. I would typically start at 5:30 to see the sun rise, but sometimes it would be 7:00 am and I wasn’t going to beat myself up for waking up a little later. I just had ONE goal in mind. To do 108 sun salutations every morning for 30 days at first (I am carrying on to 108 days now). It’s amazing how a sequence of basic Yoga asanas (exercises) can give so much mental stability. Subconsciously I started letting go of most things. I started avoiding negative, anxious thoughts and fears. I was just naturally averse to these emotions and more drawn to spirituality and the idea that no matter how much I focus on a certain thing, whatever will be will be and I should just watch the grand scheme of things unfolding in my life as a third person — a spectator.

I was humbled and learnt gratitude — Little things matter

Like most other points above, this one too is interlinked to the previous one. When depressed, or at the low point in life, we tend to disregard the good things we have. It’s just the way we are wired. It is difficult to see the rainbow on a foggy day; but it exists. And it’s beautiful. When I practiced the Sun Salutations every morning at dawn, I would literally see the sun rise in the horizon and it is the most magical sight. To see the sun shine softly and rise every morning gave me tremendous peace and gratitude for all that I have. My toddler, healthy food, this body that is allowing me to move in ways I love and just being able to witness the sun rise every morning. I am blessed.

I was oozing with creativity

Growing up I learnt Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance), Carnatic music (Indian Classical music) and Yoga. These activities shaped my entire childhood. I have so many beautiful happy memories surrounding these activities. As I approached adulthood, sadly I reached a stage when I left these activities behind me in the pursuit of growing up, further studies, traveling, getting a job etc. The sun salutations though brought me right back to where I left things. I slowly learnt to be vulnerable, to be not so terrified of a do over, to re-learn the ropes. I started my dance and music practice and am constantly finding ways to practice, and improve my skills. My hope is I can find a guru to guide my prace and take me along this journey again.

I created a conscious healthy lifestyle & opened doors to new possibilities/ hopes/ dreams

The Sun salutation became a part of my morning ritual. It grounded me, while allowing me to branch into new heights. It strengthened me like a rock from within without making me aggressive. It gave me peace while not allowing me to be too laid-back about things. Overall the sun salutations helped me achieve a great balance for the mind-body-soul.

While I did achieve certain physical milestones of clearer skin ( it promotes blood circulation) and weight loss ( it is a great cardio) I won’t delve into those benefits. There are many videos online exploring the science behind how the sun salutations benefit us physically. However, I did/ am doing it for my emotional and mental wellness & I think I have achieved much more than I sort out to.

I have to mention that 108 is an auspicious number in the Hindu Vedic way of life. There is a sacred symbolism associated with the number. We repeat many Slokas (prayers/chants) 108 times. Many sages perform 108 Surya Namaskars (Sun Salutations) on auspicious days. While you may choose to do it for 30 days or 108 days like me, you can very well work yourself up slowly and steadily & eventually practice 108 sun salutations on certain days of the week/month. Although I might not know the exact scientific relevance of the number (108), it does somehow make a difference. Repeating sun salutations a 108 times, has a positive effect on the practice from a spiritual angle.

A few pointers:

• The sun salutations are in no way a substitute to a counselor. If you are in a depressed state of mind, it is important to seek a counselor/psychiatrist/ doctor for help.
• Remember to learn each Asana within the sun salutation well. There is nothing worse than getting the postures wrong. It is best if you seek a yoga teacher that can guide you, but if you need to there are several Youtube videos that can help as well. Here is one that comes to mind.
• If you are interested to start this journey of sun salutations you can follow this audio link that I personally follow every morning.

Lastly, always listen to your body/mind/soul while in practice. Some days it’s perfectly alright to feel a little more or less energised. Everybody’s experience through this journey is unique and self acceptance is a huge part of it.