Winter Solstice 108 Sun Salutations

The Winter Solstice is a time of new beginnings. It marks the longest night of the year where the sun’s path is at its furthest, most northern point in the sky. This auspicious day represents the ending of one season, and a joyful emergence into the next!

After the Solstice, the days begin to lengthen. What better way to celebrate the sun’s return than to immerse in one of Yoga’s most traditional practices... 108 Sun Salutations!

In the Yogic tradition, 108 is a sacred number. Practising 108 Sun Salutations is a meditative practice that creates harmony between the body, mind and natural cycles, particularly during a significant seasonal shift. The Sun Salutation, or ‘Surya Namaskar’ in Sanskrit, means to ‘bow to the sun.’ By repeating this sequence 108 times we will lengthen and strengthen the spine, recharge the nervous system with solar energy, bring balance to the body and renew the mind.

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Surya Namaskar is also a practice of gratitude for life, or ‘Prana’ which gives vitality to all living things. By honouring and connecting with this life energy, we prepare to journey through the winter season with peace, health and radiance.

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Why 108?

In Vedic tradition 108 is a significant number that repeats throughout nature and spiritual teachings. Here are just a few examples:

• 108 Upanishads, sacred texts in the Yogic tradition
• 108 names for Hindu deities
• 108 ‘marma points’ or Ayurvedic energy centres on the human body
• 108 ‘pithas’ or sacred sites in India
• 108 mala beads, a tool for prayer and meditation
• The distance between earth and moon is 108 times the moon’s diameter
• The distance between earth and sun is 108 times the sun’s diameter
• 108 represents spiritual completion
• Sun Salutations completed in 9 rounds of 12 postures adds up to 108!

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​In this guided practice of 108 Sun Salutations, you will cultivate inner strength,

​overcome limitations and immerse in a sacred practice.

‘Keep your face towards the Sun and the shadows will fall behind you.’ - Walt Whitman

This is a community event, with all profits donated to charity.

Let us know below which charity you would like to nominate, and why!

Led by Laura Roberts

and assisted by our current Teacher Trainees!

Holland Park Studio

Saturday June 24th

1:00pm - 3:30pm (approximate finish time)

$25 per person​

all proceeds go to a chosen charity as nominated by you!