Surya Namaskar Is All You Need, Study Shows

It turns out, you don't have to commit to a full hour of yoga practice to reap its many benefits.

Updated Jun 12, 2023 Yelena Moroz Alpert

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It turns out, you don’t have to commit to a full hour of practice to reap yoga’s many benefits. Just 20 minutes of flowing through Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) have tremendous effects on wellness and can even get you out of a mental slump, according to a recent study in the International Journal of Yoga.

Researchers divided 124 college students with high stress into a Surya Namaskar–practicing group and a control group that did not participate in yoga or any other stress-reducing activity or exercise. At the end of two weeks, the daily sun saluters reported a quiet mind, feelings of rest and joy, and less worry than the control group. A boost to your mood is only 20 minutes away.

RELATED: 3 Sun Salutation Practices

You Can Do This 15-Minute Yoga Flow Anytime, Anywhere

Ah the hour-long yoga class. It’s quite luxurious, isn’t it? But let’s be frank—some days, it seems impossible to carve out a large chunk of time for your practice. If you ever feel this way (and who hasn’t?) know this: even a few minutes of movement can make a huge difference in how you approach … Continued

Surya Namaskar Is All You Need, Study Shows

It turns out, you don't have to commit to a full hour of yoga practice to reap its many benefits.

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You Can Do This 15-Minute Yoga Flow Anytime, Anywhere

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