We all have heard of Marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. Yogathon is a Surya Namaskar (SN) Marathon. Each SN is a series of 10 or 12 poses in a seamless flow; synchronized with one’s breath and typically performed at sunrise and sunset every day. It is ideal for people with busy schedules as it provides various physical and mental benefits packaged into a single routine requiring a small duration of time. SNs are performed to give reverence to the internal Sun, the creative force that radiates inside the body, along with the external Sun — the source of all energy.
Surya Namaskar is a technique that combines both stimulation and relaxation to reduce stress. Yoga has a lesser chance of injury to muscles and joints compared to other forms of exercise due to the continuous variability of muscle length and also due to the emphasis on awareness of breath and body throughout the practice. Yoga also helps one in handling difficult situations of life as yoga builds mental strength and will-power. Many scientific journals have reported physiological benefits of Surya Namaskars. While one research paper suggests that SNs improve muscle strength [Bhutkar, et al, Asian J Sports Med. 2011 Dec; 2(4): 259–266], another paper suggests SN can act as a great cardiovascular exercise [Mody J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2011 Jul;15(3)].
Sevathon is an annual event hosted by the India Community Center. At Sevathon, over 100 nonprofits partner and over 3000 attend each year: Yoga Bharati leads Yogathon at Sevathon where children, adults, and seniors get together to practice 108, or 51, or 24 SNs. Over 100 people gathered last year in a spectacular show of Surya Namaskars. It is also the annual fund-raising event for the non-profits including Yoga Bharati.
Venue: Arena Green, San Jose
Date: September 8th Sunday, 2019; 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Vidya danam, Param danam – Education is the best form of service. Help us give true education — Yoga Vidya! Come together to perform yoga! Collect pledges for your chosen non-profit organization – Yoga Bharati.
Please send any inquiries to sny@yogabharati.org or visit https://yogabharati.org/sevathon for more information!
