Trying to Salute the Sun

For a week, I have been trying to salute the sun, and I gotta say, it’s not as easy as it seems.

I just recently bought a book at B&N called Yoga Burns Fat...now, I am aware that it does sound gimmicky--a book that promises muscle gain, weight loss, increase in metabolism, and a better sense of self in seven weeks? Sounds too good to be true, don’t it. But you know what? I am willing to give it a shot.

The type of yoga in this book is hatha yoga...it has you practice 7 different types of routines (a routine a week). You start with routine one, and once you have mastered that routine with a week’s worth of practice, you move on to the next one.

Just having started this program, I am still on Routine 1. After you do a series of stretches you start the main part of the yoga routine called a “Vinyasa” (loosely meaning a sequence of yoga poses). The Vinyasa for this routine is called Salute to the Sun. Ideally, it is meant to do first thing in the morning, but since I get up so early for work, I prefer to do it in the afternoon or evening.

Now, when I read the steps on how to salute the sun, I knew I was going to be in a bit of trouble. For one thing, I am not a very flexible person. I am the girl who couldn’t tumble in gym class, and the one who couldn’t do a split. Secondly, I am not in the best of physical shape. I am not seriously overweight or anything like that, but I am not a featherweight, and obviously, could use to lose a few pounds.

Steps 1 through 3 I have no problem with, but here is the part where I had trouble: Step 4: ‘Inhaling, step your left leg straight back. Bend your right knee forward in a lunge.’ Step 5: ‘Exhaling, extend your right leg straight back and tighten your abdominal muscles while supporting your body weight on locked arms and your toes.’ Step 6: Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath as you drop to your knees and sit back on your heels. Place your elbows, chin, chest on the floor; keep a strong arch in your lower back.’ Then it goes on to six more

Yikes. I lost my balance a few times the first and second day I attempted it. I even lost my breath and had to stop a few times. My poses were awkward and goofy...a light and airy yoga girl I was not. I wondered to myself, “Gosh...am I gonna be able to do this? Will my hopes of burning fat with wonderfully tranquil yoga go down the tubes? Will I be able to salute the sun without letting its heat wear me down (okay..maybe I’m being a bit dramatic here) ? I had doubts for a few minutes....then cleared my head of them. I was not about to quit so soon.

Day 3 went a bit better. I was able to memorize most of the poses without looking at the book. My balance was better, and I was able to inhale and exhale correctly, without getting too light headed. Day 4 I did mostly without the aid of the book, and although some of my posing was still awkward, I was proud that I went through the whole routine feeling pretty okay. Day 5 I was able to do much quicker, and with more coordination. I think I actually saluted the sun the way it deserved to be saluted!

I am actually glad I came upon this book. I had never tried yoga before, and I have a new respect for it. It actually does work up a sweat and allows you to work parts of your body that need it. Hmmm...maybe I can burn fat with it afterall....we’ll see.

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