Why SuryaNamaskara A & B?

The Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskara is said to be one of the most ancient of yoga sequences. While it is true that they physically keep the body fit, strong & healthy, initially feeling like a warm up exercise, they are important for spiritual development. As I read from Lino Miele's Astanga Yoga book, he further explains that the sun salutation primary focus is to improve mind control and to obtain greater devotion (Bhakti). Looking into the ancient texts of the Vedas, there are explanations and benefits of Suryanamaskara A & B, which also state the 9 Vinyasas of 'A' and the 17 Vinyasas of 'B'. In today's CLINIC-Astanga session, we went over the Astanga Method of Sanskrit Counting the Vinyasas in the Sun Salutations (9 breath led movements & 17 breath led movements). This brings immediate focused flow to the practice. As the SuryaNamaskara tradition calls for waking and greeting the sun with these sequences (in many variations, in many styles of yoga), they are to bring happiness, health and sunlight to the spirit. Thank you Lino!