Sun Salutations ~ Web Quest


The practice of Sun Salutation awakens the body intelligence to create energy directly from the sun. In the Vedic tradition, the sun is symbolic of consciousness and, therefore, has been worshiped daily in the Indian culture.
Sun Salutation may also be referred to as Surya Namaskara in Sanskrit.

Every morning at dawn, the air is filled with prana shakti, or life energy. When performed facing east during the first rays of the morning sun, breathing correctly and chanting the mantras, one experiences a phenomenal effect on the mind, body and spirit.
Sun Salutation A consists of the following poses:
  1. Mountain Pose (Samasthiti or Tadasana)
  2. Upward Salute (Urdhva Hastasana)
  3. Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
  4. Half Standing Forward Fold (Ardha Uttanasana)
  5. Plank Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)
  6. Upward-facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
  7. Downward-facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
  8. Transition – feet to hands
  9. Half Standing Forward Fold
  10. Standing Forward Fold
  11. Upward Salute
  12. Mountain Pose


For my Web Quest I propose that I create an interactive slide show that goes through what Sun Salutations are and then flow through the simple routine.  When we finish this yogic performance art, we will engage in conversation.  Young students will be able to physically and mentally interact with this Web Quest and the yogic performance art. 

This relates to my teaching philosophy that Art Heals.  The practice of Sun Salutation awakens the body intelligence to create energy directly from the sun. In the Vedic tradition, the sun is symbolic of consciousness and, therefore, has been worshiped daily in the Indian culture. People who practice Sun Salutations learn gratitude, we are grateful for the ability to move our bodies and be active. Additionally, we become observers of our body and learn that as humans we are different everyday, some days we feel positive other days we feel negative. Creating a performance art experience for the students will open them to these possibilities that Sun Salutations posses. 


We will further the Web Quest by exploring the idea of creating our own stained glass panels with the 3D printer.  This project is inspired by the rays of sun that shine through a stained glass window and reflect beautiful colors on whatever is lucky enough to receive the warm energy of the sun.

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