Frequently around a seasonal equinox or solstice, especially the summer solstice, the practice of 108 sun salutations comes around. But why 108 and why sun salutations?

108 is seen as an important and symbolic number for several reasons.
1. The diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth.
2. The distance from the sun to the earth is 108 times the diameter of the sun.
3. The average distance of the moon to the earth is 108 times the diameter of the moon.
4. There are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra.

Additionally, the numbers themselves are significant symbolically.

The number 1 is often seen as representing God or a higher truth.
The number 0 often symbolizes completeness in spiritual practice.
The number 8 represents infinity or eternity.

Why we complete 108 sun salutations connects to another symbolic number — 12 and the connection to the sun.

There are 12 astrological sun signs which the sun passes through in one year.
There are 12 asanas in a sun salutation.
In astrology there are 12 constellations.

Completing 108 sun salutations is most commonly done to celebrate the summer solstice because it is the longest day of the year, the day we hope to see and enjoy the sun the most. The sun salutation flow in Vinyasa is how we warm the body, moving in flexion and extension, up and down, a full revolution, similar to an orbit around the sun.

An additional symbolic number is 9.

1 + 0 + 8 = 9
In astrology, there are 9 planets.
In numerology, nine is tied to spirituality awakening and enlightenment and the connection of humankind.

It makes sense, then, to use this practice not just to celebrate a new season and the summer solstice but to also see the practice as way to be intentional in approaching the new season, as a way to restart and reconnect.

Ready to Try it Out?

Join me for 9 x 12 = 108 Sun Salutations

I am excited to use these numbers all together to create this practice for you in a way that makes it accessible and yet still create space for you to enter the new summer season with a fresh mindset while feeling like a complete beast for completing 108 sun salutations.

I hope you will join me for 9 days of 12 sun salutations, culminating on the summer solstice. For $18/person, you will have access to a private Facebook group where I will premiere a video each day at 5:30 am Central of 12 sun salutations. I will also be emailing out a link to the video as well, so Facebook is not required. That allows you to complete your daily 12 salutations on your own schedule, when it works best for you.

Additionally, if you prefer to complete all 108 sun salutations on the summer solstice, I have you covered. The email on the summer solstice will also include a video of the practice in full, all 108.

No matter how you want to celebrate summer solstice or how you want to complete the 108, I hope you will Join me in the 9 x 12 = 108 Sun Salutations Challenge. Let’s do this!