What is the Difference Between Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga Sun Salutation?

While Ashtanga yoga is considered as one of the most challenging forms of Vinyasa yoga style, it is popular among all the yoga lovers. Contextually, the legitimate method of Ashtanga yoga comprises 6 basic postures that get changed at specific time intervals. Ashtanga yoga carries the aesthetics of the core, while Hatha yoga portrays the significance of effective breathing.

On the parallel lines of rejuvenating your health and energizing the body overall, both Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga outlines its benefits effectively. Sun salutations are believed to energize the body. It is a sequence of 12 powerful and effective yoga poses that prevents energy blockages and focuses on prana in your body.

Ashtanga yoga

Surya Namaskar or sun salutation is one such yogic style that never goes out of trend. The sun salutation has different variations. Different yogic techniques have incorporated the divine form of sun salutation in their unique ways. Interestingly, you can perform the sun salutation in any of the variations, as followed by the Ashtanga and Hatha yoga postures. Please scroll down to explore the difference between Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga sun salutation with us.

Difference between Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga sun salutation

Contextually, stepping into the mesmerizing world of yogic powers, sun salutations are one of the most popular forms of yoga practice globally. You can practice sun salutation to experience the enigmatic intellectuality and spirituality of your existence’s long-sought quintessential aspects. While the approach to the style may be different but the destination is surfaced over the same euphonious prospects of yogic life.

Hatha yoga

The difference between Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga sun salutation draws its functionality on the similar grounds of your quest for truth and light.

Ashtanga sun salutation

In the present context of various forms of yogic sciences, Ashtanga yoga sun salutation is more demanding compared to other forms of yoga. Conventionally classified in two subcategories as Ashtanga A and Ashtanga B. With a total of 11 poses and 19 poses in the respective subcategories, the intensity ranges from moderate to intense.

Ashtanga yoga sun salutation

  • Ashtanga A sun salutation
  • Tadasana (mountain pose)
  • Urdhva Hastasana (raised arms pose)
  • Uttanasana (forward fold)
  • Ardha Uttanasana (half-forward fold)
  • Chaturanga Dandasana (four-limbed staff pose)
  • Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (upward-facing dog pose)
  • Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog pose)
  • Ardha Uttanasana (forward fold)
  • Urdhva Hastasana (Raised arms pose)
  • Tadasana (mountain pose)

As the Ashtanga yoga forms are more demanding, the second subcategory of sun salutation requires more time and practice for completion.

The Hatha yoga sun salutation approach

You can observe that while Ashtanga yoga is challenging to follow fat every step, Hatha yoga allows you to practice sun salutation more easily. The Hatha yoga sun salutation is performed in 12 spinal postures with the classical emphasis shared in the various aspects of breathing. The 12 steps in Hatha yoga sun salutation is described in the following way.

Hatha yoga sun salutation

  • Pranamasana (prayer pose)
  • Hasta Uttanasana (raised arms pose)
  • Hasta Padasana (hand to foot pose)
  • Ashwa Sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)
  • Kumbhakasana (plank pose)
  • Ashtanga Namaskara (eight-point salute)
  • Bhujangasana (cobra pose)
  • Parvatasana (mountain pose)
  • Ashwa Sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)
  • Hasta Padasana (hand to foot pose)
  • Hasta Uttanasana (raised arms pose)
  • Pranamasana (prayer pose)

The 12 postures in sun salutation in hatha yoga are considered as one half of sun salutation. You can practice the entire cycle of the Hatha yoga sun salutation by reverting the steps efficiently.

The final word

Master the various forms of sun salutations and let its =energy surmount you with the warmth and tranquility it beholds. Experience the difference between Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga sun salutation to explore the calming aspects of yogic life.

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