SALUTES TO GODS AND GODDESSES (DEVAS NAMASKAR):


Crescent Pose Backbend

Kneel Down Salute

Knee Down Backbend

Devas Namaskar is a vinyasa flow that’s unique to our lineage in Calcutta. Devas Namaskar translates to “Salute to the Gods and Goddesses”. More specifically it relates to Brahman, who is considered The Creator in the Indic tradition. Brahman is always pictured with four faces, facing north, south, east and west. It is customary to practice Devas Namaskar in four directions; north, south, east and west honoring the powerful Deity. The students step out in Crescent Pose towards the North, pivot around to the South then step out to the West and at the end turn to the East. However, in order to keep students on their mats, I modified the sequence to flow “north and south” (step forward facing the front mirror and turn, step toward the back-wall). Not only is this Vinyasa sequence a tribute to Brahman, but it is also a wonderful flow to warm up the body!

• From Downward Dog bring right foot up to crescent pose: on the toes of your back foot, right thigh parallel to the floor, right knee over ankle, bring your arms over head, palms together, fingers interlaced and lift up from your shoulder blades to the ceiling. Drop your head back and lift up and into backbend from crescent, making sure to bend from the middle back while keeping your hips square. Don’t allow the hips to slide back during backbend. Keep your back leg straight.
• Then pivot to the back wall and do opposite side.
• Still facing the back-wall, drop the right knee three to four inches behind the left heel into kneeling salute, and lift up and into backbend, press your shin into the floor for leverage, back foot flat.
• Pivot again to front; drop the left knee down into kneeling salute and go into the backbend.
• Place your hands out in front; Down-Dog
• Repeat the same on left side. Then stand up. Bring your right foot up to meet left, arms at your side in Mountain Pose.
• (North, South, East, West, optional)
• From Down-Dog flow right into second set.