108 Sun Salutations
Of all the numbers used to explain how the universe works, 108 appears in countless different interpretations and contexts, from mathematics and astronomy to religious rites, spiritual practices, and even medicine and architecture. It holds significant meaning for yoga and meditation practitioners. So, why is the number 108 so special? And why do we practice 108 sun salutations at the summer solstice?
In yoga practice, 1 represents the focus on one thing and the verticality of breath, 0 symbolizes having zero senses and preconceptions, and 8 stands for uniting with the flow of infinity.
Yogis traditionally perform 108 sun salutations on solstices and equinoxes to express their gratitude and devotion. These are often done as 9 rounds of sun salutations, each composed of 12 asanas in a Surya Namaskar, totaling 108. Some meditation schools teach 100 cycles of mantra meditation for oneself, plus 8 extra rounds for those who can’t practice meditation. Pranayama is also traditionally practiced in at least 108 repetitions to unfold its full effects.
Why do we practice the Sun Salutation Sequence?
Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskar, shows gratitude for our lives and all we are blessed with. Namaskar means “to bow to” or “to adore”, in this case, the sun. When we rise to Mountain Pose (Tadasana), we honor the sun, the heavens, and the universe. When we bow down to a forward fold (Uttanasana), we honor the earth, our stability, our home.
The Sun Salutation sequence creates “tapas” or inner heat that cleanses the body, bringing us into a state of focused moving meditation. This inner heat and focused meditation help us peel away unnecessary layers of thought, emotions, or physical baggage, allowing our full potential to emerge.
In Sun Salutations, your breath guides you, linking one pose to the next. With focus on breath, we can use our exhale to release what no longer serves us and inhale new ways of being that nurture us.
108 Sun Salutations to celebrate the Summer Solstice and International Yoga Day!
We invite you to join us to celebrate the longest day of the year with 108 Sun Salutations, 7.30pm in the studio on 20th June 2024.
This ancient tradition is used by yoga communities worldwide to celebrate seasonal changes. It is more mentally challenging than physically! All levels are welcome, and Marie-Laure will guide you throughout the event.
Come and celebrate the official arrival of summer by harnessing the transformational energy into our yoga practice. Through this moving meditation, you will feel deeply connected to yourself and mother earth.
How to get the most out of this special practice
The Summer Solstice marks the halfway point of the year. Use this opportunity to reflect on the past six months and consider your goals for the next half of the year.
To prepare for the 108 sun salutations, ask yourself: what am I nurturing that matters to me, where am I growing?
Remember, the goal is 108, but listen to your body. Whether you finish 18, 80, or 108, it is the intent that counts. Make yoga a heart-centred practice, not an ego-based one. If you need a long child’s pose, take one.
You will find ease in surrendering to the flow, letting each moment come and go, inhaling and exhaling. Acknowledge emotions that arise and then let them go. As you find a rhythm, your mental chatter will decrease as your awareness turns inward. This moving meditation brings us closer to the ultimate goal of Yoga – a state of oneness with all that is.
Want to find out more about the mysterious number 108? Read on!
The number 108 is considered sacred in many Eastern religions and traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is also found in yoga and dharma-based practices.
In the Vedic age, mathematicians regarded 108 as symbolizing the wholeness of existence. It is a Harshad (joy-giving) number, an integer divisible by the sum of its digits.
In astronomy, 108 connects the sun, moon, and earth: the diameter of the sun is 108 times that of the earth, and the distance between the sun and earth is approximately 108 times the sun’s diameter. The moon’s diameter multiplied by 108 equals the distance between the earth and moon.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, 1 represents the Divine, 0 symbolizes emptiness or completeness, and 8 stands for infinity and eternity. It is said that 108 energy lines converge to form the heart chakra. In Ayurveda, there are 108 sacred intersection points (marmas) that hold the vital energy in the body.
In Hinduism, there are 108 early Upanishads, 108 names for female deities, 108 forms of Indian dance, 108 types of meditation, 108 sacred sites throughout India, 108 steps that lead up to most temples, and 108 stages the soul passes through to reach enlightenment. Legends tell of Indian sadhus reaching deep states of meditation, requiring only 108 breaths a day.
In India, 1-0-8 is the national emergency phone number. The Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each with masculine and feminine forms, totaling 108 letters. In Kriya Yoga, the maximum repetitions allowed in one sitting are 108.
Tibetan mala beads, or prayer beads, used to count mantra repetition in meditation and chanting, number 108, as do the beads on a Catholic rosary and the knots on a Sikh mala.