This is one of the mantras in Sanskrit language that the Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, chant, to pay their salute and respect to the Sun. It is usually accompanied by a water offering ritual before the sunrise. In their belief, by chanting the Surya (Sun) mantras, darkness will be dispersed and healing, wisdom, health, wealth, will be granted upon the worshiper.
In Yoga, a Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), a short sequence of choreographed asanas (poses) is performed to honor the Sun. The ancient Yogis believed that if you have a good relationship with the Sun, all that you need will be provided for. Surya (Sun) is an epithet of Shiva, a Hindu God, the Lord of Yoga.
In Egypt mythology, Ra is their Sun God, which symbol is a human form with a head of a falcon, crowned by a solar disk encircled with a cobra named Uraeus. In Greek, Helios is the Sun God, while the oldest Armenian cults worshipped Ar (Ara), the Sun deity, much as the Shinto followers meditated on Amaterasu, their Sun Goddess.
The Sun is the star at the center of the solar system. It is a hot yellow ball of glowing gases. Its electric current generates a magnetic field that is carried out by the solar wind. It is composed of around 92.1% hydrogen and 7.8% helium. The temperature at its core is about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. It is by far the most important source of energy of life on Earth.
When the ray of the sun penetrates the skin directly, the skin produces Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, which is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Sunshine vitamin (vitamin D), is essential for the development and repair of bones, especially for old age patients. It is an excellent tool to fight depression or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is common during cold season. Patients with this condition are usually treated with photo therapy or light therapy.
The sunlight triggers the release of the chemical in the brain called “serotonin” or the happy hormones. It sets the mood right, calms the mind and sharpens mental focus. The night light affects the brain too! It produces the chemical “melatonin” which relaxes the brain and promotes sleep which is valuable to one’s wellbeing.
Fair colored skin people takes in sun vitamin faster compared to the brown or dark skinned, because of the less melanin in the skin. Melanin is the natural pigment that protects the skin cells. If you plan to have a sun exposure for more than 15 minutes, I recommend you use a water base sunblock with at least SPF 30 – for the fair skinned and SPF 15 – for the dark skinned. You will not get skin disorders or skin cancer from the sun, unless you are over exposed to it and without protection. Remember that anything too much leads to pain than a gain. The ideal time of the day for sun exposure is 11 AM to 3 PM, when your body is more receptive and the sun at its peak – believe it or not.
Most often, the Vitamin D from the sun is not enough to meet the daily dose requirement. There are two other sources of Vitamin D that can be used to cover the shortage, one is from food, like salmon, sardines, egg yolk, shiitake mushrooms, fortified foods like cereals, milk, yogurt and second is from supplements vitamin D2 and D3. The vitamin D2 is from plant compound while D3 is from animals. If you are not a vegetarian, D3 is best suited for you and it is more effective. The safe daily dosage is 600 IU for young adults, 800 IU for adults more than 70 years old and 1000 – 2000 IU for therapeutic purpose. You may consult your health care provider about it.
The consistent sun light intake notably lower the risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers. It also maintains healthy bones, joints, nerves, immune system and positive outlook. Lastly, it kills harmful bacteria, germs and virus, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Oregon, USA. Indeed, a fantastic fighting agent to ward off the nasty Coronavirus!
What are you waiting for? Start digging in your closet, put on your favorite swimsuit, grab a water drink and greet the light with your best smile for its sun bathing time!
Love and shine!
About Riza Lim:
Orissa Holistic Garden Resort owner & holistic healer, Ms. Riza Lim, graduated from the Natural Health Institute of Naturopathy in San Diego, California, USA. She traveled around the world to study different health practices, like India, Tibet, Nepal, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Palau, to name a few, and brought home (Philippines) these helpful knowledge to share. She believes that preventive medicine lifestyle is the best way to good health.
Ms. Riza, is also a licensed Yoga and a meditation teacher, studied in Yogadarshanam, Mysore, Karnataka, India, a certified Tibetan new moon sound healing therapist – studied in Kathmandu, Nepal, a clinical nutritionist, a clinical master herbalist, a clinical aromatherapist, studied in California. Her extensive studies and work around the world lead her to realize the importance of having a peaceful mind is the best medicine.
She teaches mindfulness programs, meditation, yoga, holistic lifestyle from youngsters to adults to groups, schools, and communities to promote a holistic health lifestyle.
Ms. Riza wants to reach out to schools and communities to work with them on teaching children & adults particularly on Mindfulness and Yoga, as her advocacy to create a better and peaceful future for all.