Align Joy

Karma yoga is one of the most pragmatic avenue described in Bhagavad Gita by Lord Sri Krishna, it is immaculately precise yet offers practical insights for every seeker who aspires to walk the path of spiritualism. Karma yoga answers the fundamental questions related to why and how a common man, engrossed in material world and consumerism walk the spiritual path and attain liberation (moksha) from the vicious cycle of birth and death which leads to suffering (dukha).

The word karma refers to all the past, present and future actions. Based on the profound understanding of human nature, the cause and effect are clearly put forth in our ancient scriptures, therefore, intention with which an action is performed carries with it the result, every action that we perform adds up to the sum total of our karma. If karma was a bank account every action performed with a noble intent adds a credit and an action carried out with a wrong intent adds to the debit. 

There are three types of Karma 

(i) Prarabdha karma (that which is attained at birth and everything that we are doing at the present moment).

(ii) Sanchita karma (the un-manifested fruit of all our past actions).

(iii) Agami karma (destined consequences that result from present actions, which determine the future).

We certainly can’t undo actions done in the past but what we can wilfully change is the present in-order to have a virtuous future. Therefore, by taking complete responsibility for our thoughts and actions, we create our reality. What we think or do with every passing second creates the kind of reality that we would enter into. 

If our present intentions and our actions are filled with loving kindness (Maitri), compassion (Karuna), pure joy un-adulterated by self-interest (Mudita), a sense of letting go (Upeksha), we’d have the fortune to create a rightful future, which would ultimately enable our progress in the path of blissful existence, contentment (santosha), non-attachment (kaivalya) and liberation (moksha).

To be a true Karma Yogi one should live and breath the affirmation“Duty is Divinity”.

Let me share my tranquil experience of blending Bhakti (devotion) with asana practice. When I started my asana practice it was very difficult to set my self up for this routine, I would take it easy on most of the days convincing myself in every possible way not to get to the mat. Comforting and sympathising myself that I’m a bit too stressed or I’m a bit unwell or I’m a bit tired or I’m not in a mood or I couldn’t get enough sleep blah,blah, blah………I kept doing this for a long time until one day I over heard a beautiful hymn of Annamacharya while my asana practise was going on, unknowingly I started to synchronise my breath and posture with the Keerthana the ease with which my body adapted to the practice was incredible, I didn’t feel any kind of discomfort, pain, lack of enthusiasm rather my body and mind were filled with ecstasy. Since then I consciously started experimenting by playing my favourite Keerthanas during my practice and I was able to notice a remarkable difference in the way I approached asanas.
Let me make an honest confession, blending myself in Bhakti was a graceful way to surrender the egoistic mind and the rigid body for an exchange of RICHER and GREATER WELL-BEING. Every time I followed this ritual I experienced a great sense of harmony and inner peace.

Practising the Surya namaskar with a deep sense of devotion helps in rejuvenating the body and mind.

Let me begin with gratitude (krutagnata bhava) to Sun (Surya Bhagwan) for being the life sustaining force of this planet, for the warmth, energy and light that he provides everybody without discrimination. I humbly pay my respect by chanting the twelve beeja mantras while I practice the surya namaskar. Every mantra resonates with me so much so that I genuinely connect and celebrate this existence of mine with the greatest and most powerful life giving source.

Let’s begin ??

Don’t forget to add a pleasant smile with every mantra, every breath and every asana. It’s a MAGICAL way to wellness!!

Step 1 – Pranamasana

1. Stand at one end of your mat with your feet together, distribute your weight on both feet equally.
2. Start with the first mantra “Om Hram Mitraya Namaha”, with this mantra you are rendering your salutation to the friend (Mitra) of all creation who never discriminates.
3. Relax your chest and shoulders, inhale and lift your arms up from the sides.
4. Exhale and bring your palms together in a namaste position in front of your chest.
Tip to enhance the posture –
Keep your feet anchored firmly to the ground and your spine erect.


Step 2 – Hasttautanasana

1. Chant the second mantra “Om Hrim Ravaye Namaha”, with this mantra you are greeting the one who shines and blesses every life form.
2. Inhale and lift your hands up and back, make sure that your hands are close to your ears.
3. Stretch your whole body starting from the heels up to your fingertips.
Tips to enhance the Posture –
Tuck the tailbone in as you push the pelvis slightly forward and bring your awareness to the fingers rather then the back bend.


Step 3 – Hasta Padasana

1. Chant the third mantra “Om Hrum Suryaya Namaha”, with this mantra you bow down to the great energy that propels everyone into action.
2. Breath out and bend forward from your waist while keeping your spine straight.
3. Exhale completely and bring your hands down to the floor by the side of your feet.
Tip to enhance the Posture –
Bend your knees to bring your palms down to the floor, make a reasonable effort to straighten your knees. Keep your hands motionless in this position.

Step 4 – Ashwa Sanchalanasana

1. Chant the fourth mantra “Om Hraim Bhanave Namaha”, with this mantra you offer to pay your respect to the radiance which is in the form of light.
2. Breath in and push your right leg as far back as possible.
3. Bring your right knee to the floor and slowly look up.
Tip for enhancing the posture –
Check if your left foot is exactly in between the palms.

Step 5. Dandasana

1. Chant the fifth mantra “Om Hraum Khagaya Namaha”
With this mantra you salute the free moving energy in the sky.
2. Breath in and take your left leg back
3. Bring your whole body in a straight line.
Tip to enhance the posture –
Keep your arms erect to the floor.

Step 6 – Astanga namaskar

1. Chant the sixth mantra “Om Hrah Pushne namaha” with this mantra you render your humble gratitude to the one who nourishes all.
2. Gradually bring your knees down to the floor then exhale.
3. Slightly take your hips back and slide forward.
4. Relax your chest and chin on the ground.
5. Elevate your posterior a little bit.
Tip for enhancing the posture –
The eight parts of your body including two hands, two feet, two knees, chest and chin should touch the ground.

Step 7 – Bhujangasana

1. Chant the mantra “Om Hram Hiranyagarbhaya Namaha”
With this mantra you offer your prayer to the one who contains everything.
2. Gradually bring your knees down to the floor then exhale.
3. Take your hips slightly back and slide forward.
4. Relax your chest and chin on the ground.
5. Elevate your posterior a little bit.
Tip to enhance the posture –
The eight parts of your body including two hands, two feet, two knees, chest and chin should touch the ground.

Step 8 – Parvatasana

1. Chat the mantra “Om Hrim Marichaye Namaha”
With this mantra you oblige with the radiant rays.
2. Breath out and lift your hips as well as your tail bone up.
3. Put your chest downwards to create an inverted V pose.
Tips to enhance the posture –
Keep your heels on the ground as possible.
Make a moderate effort to lift your tailbone up.
Gradually go deeper into the stretch.

Step 9 – Ashwa sanchalanasana

1. Chant the mantra “Om Hrum Adhityaya Namaha”,
this mantra reminds you that Surya Bhagvan is the son of Aditi.
2. Breath out and lift your hips as well as your tail bone up.
3. Put your chest downwards to create an inverted V pose.
Tip ton enhance the posture –
Keep your heels on the ground as possible.
Make a moderate effort to lift your tailbone up.
Gradually go deeper into the stretch.

Step 10 – Hastapadasana

1. Chant the mantra “Om Hraim Savitre Namaha”, with this mantra you bow down to the one who produces everything.
2. Breath out and bring your left foot forward.
3. Keep your palms on the ground.
4. You can bend your knees, if you feel some discomfort.
Tips to enhance the posture –
Gently straighten your knees and if you can, try and touch your nose to the knees.
Keep on breathing.


Step 11 – Hastauttanasana

1. Chant the mantra “Om Hraum Arakaya Namaha”, with this mantra you raise to worship the one who is worthy.
2. Breath in and roll your spine up,
3. Make your hands go up and bend backwards a little bit and push your hips slightly outward.
Tip to enhance the posture –
Make sure that your biceps are beside your ears.
Aim to stretch up more instead of stretching backwards.

Step 12 – Tadasana

1. Chant the mantra “Om Hrah Bhaskaraya Namaha”, this mantra is to him who is the cause of energy.
2. Exhale and first straighten your body.
3. Bring your arms down.
Tip to enhance the posture:
Relax in this yoga pose.
Observe the sensations that the Sun salutations bring in your body.


Practice Surya Namaskar with a blend of the beautiful beeja mantras and experience the MAGIC ?☺️