#yogatherapyttc atmavikasayoga sungazing

[passionatecocreator-blog]

The art of sun gazing.

The Sun is the supreme body in our solar system. Without its heat and light, the Earth would be a lifeless, dark place to live at. By knowing so it can not be surprising that our bodies and minds become dark and lack energy and life, when it doesn’t get provided with a sufficient amount of sunlight, right? Sunlight surely is an essential element from which all life originates and is energized.

According to the Indian mythology, Surya (Sun) was responsible for health of mind, body and spirit, being the source of light and warmth, hence making all life possible. On the contrary, the more the body is dwelling on darkness, the more disease will come. The body then becomes weak and stops functioning properly. When sunlight enters our bodies, we become energized and empowered in the possibly purest way there is. All the body defenses increase and become stronger to fight disease or illness, which literally means it strengthens your immune system. 

Engineer and sun gazing expert Hira Ratan Manek claims, if done right, sun gazing will prevent many diseases and is greatly beneficial for our overall health. When sunlight enters the brain via our eyes it stimulates or activates the pineal gland which naturally boosts the secretion of melatonin and serotonin, our feel-good hormones. As a result, our mind becomes more balanced, stronger and we are able to transform our negative thoughts into positive ones. This will have an impact on our mental state of mind, increases peacefulness and harmony from within. AND we all know there is much more to come along with a healthy, harmonious and calm mind. :) That surely is when all magic and healing happens... :)) Further, radiological researchers reckon that the ultraviolet rays enhance calcium absorption in the elderly, relieve headaches, fatigue, and even benefit newborns suffering from jaundice. If you make sun gazing a ritual, no doubts it will affect your whole body, healing itself from allergies, asthma, sleep disturbances and all kinds of disease.

As mentioned above and to profit from all benefits to the max, we should follow a little guideline.. Choose the  time wisely. Dawn or dusk are meant to be the most recommended as your eyes will only take in very little or no us rays at all. Ideally, you practice barefoot, in nature, where there is the possibility to go for a 20-30minutes walk afterwards. When you are new to the practice, 30 seconds to look at the sun with open eyes are enough to start with. Close your eyes and stay for another 5 minutes or so. To be in contact with the earth, go on a slow, meditative, silent walk afterwards. Out of curiosity I had to research why being barefoot is so important.. So here’s a little scientific background: The reflex for the pineal gland is found in the big toe and the remaining four toes represent other glands – pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala. When you walk barefoot on soil/ mud/sand all these 5 glands are stimulated and combined with sunlight, create a sort of magnetic field in and around your body that recharges you and your brain. WOW! That literally blows my mind. x) Also, if you are enjoying Surya Namaskar (Yoga asana practice) just as much as me- It works on the same principle of tapping the energy of the sun for a better living and health! 

Even if you don’t make it a ritual- relax in the gentle evening smile of the sun whenever you can and allow the power of the sun to work magic on your body... :)

Happy sun gazing to all of you beautiful souls!

Namaste and thanks to Atmavikasa Center of Yogic Sciences in Mysore and my teachers for making us aware about this. Please check them out on www.atmavikasa.yoga.in <3

PS: For those who are worried about photosensitive skin, that is usually common only between age 40 and 55 when the slightest exposure to sunlight brings out a red, itchy inflammation on their skin. Some others develop pigmentation-dark spots on the cheeks and are advised by doctors to keep out of the sun. However, naturopaths say the problem is not the sunlight but our own body. Normally, the skin produces the pigment melanin that screens and filters UV rays. It surfaces to give our skin a gentle tan. But, gradually, the skin stops producing melanin and disarms itself where it can no longer face natural healing sunlight.

[jussi3xv]

Exploring the art of Sungazing

Last Saturday evening I was lucky to have walk with a friend and witness the beauty of sun. Conditions could not have been better for a little practice of yoga asana, drishti towards the source of prana, the sun. Only a breath of wind colored the atmosphere, the lake was peaceful and serene.

Thanks & photo credits to my friend Amir.

This blog is written for the yoga therapy teacher training at Atmavikasa Centre of Yogic Sciences in Mysore, India www.atmavikasayoga.in

[olenasblog-blog]

What is Sungazing?

Last week I was set homework at my Yoga Therapy TTC to write a blog about this new practice we have been introduced to. That is how this question came about. So what is Sungazing? And how to practice it? It's a practice of directly looking at the sun in the hour following sunrise and the hour before sunset. You have to stare directly at the sun for 10 seconds with open eyes, then shut your eyes and stay there facing the sun for 4.5 minutes. You increase the time by 10 seconds each day as you progress. You have to do it standing barefeet directly on the earth to receive maximum benefits. It believed by some that Sungazing improves physical, mental and emotional health. After sometime spend online reading numerous articles and blogs I found that not enough research has been done till this point to prove these claims. But I found plenty of warnings by medical professionals about dangers of this practice. Of course I can not deny all the benefits of the sun and its life giving energy and will continue to enjoy it in a safe way.

This work is done by me as a part of my Yoga Therapy TTC at Atmavikasa Centre of Yogic Sciences, Mysore.

www.Atmavikasayoga.in

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#sungazing