By request, I'm bringing it back to basics today with Surya Namaskar B in this demonstration video. This variation of sun salutation is a basic flow in Ashtanga yoga that's comprised of seven poses:
Tadasana - Heads up! I make an error in the video and say "heels together". I meant feet together. The heels, actually, should be apart. Sorry! Bad yogi.
Forward fold - Tip of the day: if you're already able to straighten your legs, visualize your hip joints over your ankles. If you're not working with straight legs yet, just keep your intention there for now.
Halfway-lift - Hands traditionally are on the mat, in line with the toes. Feel free to bring the hands to the legs (shins or thighs) if the flexibility isn't there yet in the hamstrings. Draw shoulder blades toward one another.
Chaturanga - Modify, if you need to, by taking the knees to the mat.
Up-dog - Just the hands and tops of the feet are on the mat. Lift your knees off the mat.
Down dog - Picture the body as an upside down letter V.
Warrior 1 - Hips are facing forward, back foot at 45 degrees.
It doesn't seem like a big deal, but these poses, when done properly and held for the appropriate length of time can be a serious sweat-inducing workout. To be honest, I don't do the sun salute in its proper, traditional form often. I generally do some sort of variation on the flow, but it was nice to get back to my Ashtanga roots (that's what I trained in) and recall our 6am practices in Thailand.
Let's talk Do you do sun salutes? Which pose of the flow comes with ease? Which is the most challenging? Why?
Related Other how to's.