Ashtanga Yoga: Sun Salutations and Counting
Following the invocation, students stand in “Samasthiti” or “equal-standing posture”. Sun Salutations provide the opening foundation for the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. (Click here for more info on Sun Salutations). The sun salutations (5xA and 5xB) begin the actual practice:
| # | Sanskrit | Surya Namaskara A | Surya Namaskara B |
| 1 | ekam (AAY-Kaam) | tadasana – arms up | Utkatasana |
| 2 | dve (Dh-way) | Uttanasana | Uttanasana |
| 3 | trini (trenee) | look up- ardha uttanasana | look up – ardha uttanasana |
| 4 | catvari (Chaht-wharey) | chaturanga dandasana | chaturanga dandasana |
| 5 | panca (pancha) | up dog – urdhva mukha svanasana | up dog – urdhva mukha svanasana |
| 6 | sat (shaht) | down dog – adho mukha svanasana | down dog – adho mukha svanasana |
| 7 | sapta (suhpta) | float to ardha uttanasana | Virabhadrasana A – Right leg forward |
| 8 | astau (Ah-shtaow) | uttanasana | chaturanga dandasana |
| 9 | nava (nauwah) | tadasana – arms up | urdhva mukha svanasana |
| 10 | dasa (dheshau) | SAMASHTHITI | adho mukha svanasana |
| 11 | ekadasa (AAykahdushau) | Virabhadrasana A – Left | |
| 12 | dvadasa (duAhdheshau) | chaturanga dandasana | |
| 13 | trayodasa (TryYOdheshau) | urdhva mukha svanasana | |
| 14 | caturdasa (Chattourdheshau) | adho mukha svanasana | |
| 15 | pancadasa (panSHOdheshau) | float to ardha uttanasana | |
| 16 | sodasa (shOdheshau) | Uttanasana | |
| 17 | saptadasa (SuptOdheshau) | Utkatasana | |
| 18 | astdasa (AhShtodheshau) or Samasthitihi | SAMASHTHITI |