Morning Sun Salutations, also known as Surya Namaskara (Surya = sun and Namaskara = to bow down), are a delightful way to start the day. In fact, setting a goal of beginning each day with at least five sun salutations is a great commitment to a regular yoga practice. This small, yet significant, goal is easily attainable because Sun Salutations can be done in five to ten minutes. Yet once begun, Sun Salutations often lead to other poses, and before you know it, an hour passes and you feel invigorated and relaxed. Yet even with a few Sun Salutes, benefits of a daily yoga practice can be felt.

Surya Namaskara is a complete yoga practice in itself. It opens the front and back body with forward fold and upward facing dog, for example; builds strength with chataranga; and offers relaxation and time for reflection and breathwork, all in downward facing dog. Sun Salutations also offer us the chance to begin anew each day. We re-center, reconnect, and start fresh, each and every new day. This is a big life lesson, and helps us to release old baggage in the form of nagging thoughts or difficult emotions. With each new day—indeed, each new breath—you can begin fresh.

This simple commitment will help you to appreciate the value of a daily practice. Before long, it will be a regular habit that fits as normally into your morning as breakfast or brushing your teeth. Some days you may only do a few salutes, and others, you may linger longer, exploring a range of asanas. Over time, you will notice your relationship to the practice changes. Likely, you will experience insight from time to time. And surely, your body will become stronger, and more resilient, leaving you feeling healthier.

Think sun Salutations every morning might get boring? Think again—there are many Sun Salute variations to choose from. You could easily come up with a new sequence each day for a month if variety is more your style. For example, standing poses can easily be worked into the sequence for a unique twist. Make the practice yours.