Following her widely discussed 21-day anti-inflammatory diet, Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia has now captivated her followers by sharing her intense morning fitness regimen. The actor has embraced the challenging practice of performing 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar to energize her body and establish a positive tone for the day ahead.
The Power of 108: More Than Just a Number
In her recent Instagram post, Dhupia encouraged her fans with the motivational caption: "Tyohaar mana liya … ab sehat bana lo. Karo 108 se apni din ki shuruaat" (You've celebrated the festivals, now build your health. Start your day with 108). This revelation comes after her previous viral diet challenge that impressed health enthusiasts across the internet.
Renowned yoga trainer Mansi Gulati explained why the specific count of 108 holds such significance. "Doing 108 Surya Namaskars daily is a powerful physical and mental discipline," she stated. While acknowledging that the number might sound intimidating, Gulati emphasized that consistent practice with awareness can yield transformative results.
The number 108 carries deep spiritual meaning in yoga traditions. "It can be meditative and lead to a deeper connection with self. If done daily, even at a slower pace, it can reshape your entire well-being in body, mind, and spirit," Gulati told indianexpress.com.
Understanding Surya Namaskar: The 12-Pose Sequence
According to yoga expert Anadi Sharma, Surya Namaskar comprises a carefully designed sequence of twelve yoga postures, each offering distinct physical and mental benefits:
Pranamasana (Prayer pose): This initial posture helps relax and calm both body and mind, setting the intention for the practice.
Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose): This asana stretches the chest and abdomen while helping maintain high energy levels throughout the day.
Hastapadasana (Hand to Foot pose): This forward bend massages abdominal organs, enhances digestion, improves blood flow to the brain, addresses female health concerns, and stretches the spine.
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose): This lunge position stretches quadriceps, hip muscles, and spine while stimulating abdominal organs and boosting mental clarity.
Dandasana (Stick pose): This plank-like posture improves overall body posture, strengthens back muscles and spine, and stretches shoulders and chest.
Ashtanga Namaskar (Salute with Eight Parts): This pose develops chest strength while fortifying arms and legs.
Completing the Cycle: Additional Benefits
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose): This backbend relieves tension in the back and spine while stimulating and expanding chest and abdominal organs.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog): This inverted V-shape strengthens legs and arms, stretches calf and spine muscles, and helps relieve varicose veins.
The sequence repeats certain poses like Ashwa Sanchalanasana and Hastapadasana, which are particularly beneficial for digestive issues including indigestion and constipation. The final pose, Tadasana, promotes balance between both sides of the body and prepares the practitioner for the next cycle of Surya Namaskar.
Holistic Health Benefits Beyond Physical Fitness
Sharma elaborated on the comprehensive advantages of this ancient practice. The forward bends and back stretches in Surya Namaskar significantly aid digestion by massaging abdominal organs. Additionally, the various postures boost cardiovascular health and improve blood circulation throughout the body.
"You're not just stretching—you're sending a clear signal to your nervous system: 'I'm awake, I'm in control, and I finish what I start,'" Sharma explained, highlighting the mental discipline involved.
The synchronized breathing pattern that accompanies the physical movements calms the nervous system, reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and enhances mindfulness. Sharma described it as "a complete feedback loop involving movement, breath, and closure in under five minutes" that trains your brain to operate from calm execution rather than scattered reaction.
Sharma further noted that Surya Namaskar creates a behavioral domino effect. "After those three rounds, you're more likely to eat clean, respond instead of react, and feel slightly more present," he observed, attributing this positive cascade to the self-generated rhythm of completing something challenging and rhythmic without external validation.
As with any new fitness regimen, experts recommend consulting with a healthcare practitioner before beginning this or any new health routine to ensure it aligns with individual health conditions and needs.
