The burning summer causing itching, irritations, tensions and short temperedness, high or fluctuating blood pressure and escape from regular and rigorous exercise calls for the necessity of practicing Chandra Namaskar or Salutations to Moon. Surya or sun is the source of life and light always. Even our beautiful moon shines with the energy of sun. Vedas the oldest holy text of ultimate knowledge say,

Surya atma jagtah sthusch swaha.

(Sun is the source of life for living beings and sthanu like herbs and trees etc).

We may say that the soothing light and cooling rays we get from moon are also the converted strength of sun. Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar has become very popular as a wonderful exercise but it is a boon as it is a special combination of three asana, pranayam and dhyan or meditation if practiced with chanting of special Mantras of sun. Still to prevent the practitioner from possible harms under some special circumstances and changing season I have experienced wonderful benefits of Chandra Namaskar not yet so popular. As the moon has no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun instead. In the same way Chandra Namaskara besides reflecting the benefits of Surya Namaskar, adds balance and concentration with other benefits of chandrasana and mantras of the moon. Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is recommended to be practiced never in the evening but always in the morning only for perfect results but Chandra Namaskar can be practiced in late evening when moon is visible or very early morning when sacred full moon light is at full swing but with light stomach. Surya Namaskar and Chandra Namaskar are not only asana but also complete Sadhna or spiritual practice in itself when practiced with perfect devotion and awareness. In Yoga the sun is represented by Pingla or Surya nadi in human body and regular practice of Surya Namaskar regulates pingla nadi. Pingla is the pranic channel through which moves the vital life giving force. On the other hand Chandra Namaskar is a wonderful combination of yogic postures introduce in Surya Nmaskara with Chandrasana. The lunar energy has cool relaxing and creative qualities and flows through Ida nadi or the Chandra Swara and it modifies the aggressive (Ugra) qualities of sun.

 Chandra Namaska, besides physical benefits of Surya Namaskar, is much important to practice in summer season as it regulates our Ida or Chandra nadi. Lunar mantras chanted in Chandra Namaskar add beauty, peace, tranquility, rhythm and mental force to our personality as these mantras represent the female or lunar aspect of divinity. It has proved more effective in mental and nervous problems besides high blood pressure and prevents the diseases caused by high blood pressure.

As the twelve positions of Surya Namaskar represent the 12 solar phases (12 Rashis) one of each month of the year, the 16 positions of Chandra Namaskar represent the sixteen lunar phases (16 kala) that have the capacity to grow one in to a perfect human or the 16 kala awatarlike lord Shri Krishna who was a 16 Kalawatar Yogi later famed a Yogeshwar. With the growing moon each day its name is also changed. Beginning from the first day (Pratipada) of shukla Paksha or the bright fortnight moon to Pornima or the full moon it takes 14 to 16 days in completing its 16 phases. Stand on your asana in upright position facing moon with arms hanging loose beside thighs and feet together balancing the body weight equally on both feet. Keep your eyes gently closed and be with yourself just to get ready for concentration on moon through mantras.

First Position: - Fold your arms at elbows and join hands in prayer pose like upward flame of a Deepak in front of your chest. Just to relax your whole body, bring your awareness to different parts of your structure starting from head and move your awareness through all the parts releasing any tension. Finally bring the awareness to soles and feel that all tensions are being pulled down in to the ground by the force of gravity. Bring awareness to Agya Chakra at eyebrow center to visualize the cooling, soothing and healing rays of moon and offer prayers.

Mantra: OM Amritaye Nameh, salutations to the first kala or phase moon that gives us ray of hope leading to nectar of life. This position decorates us with improved concentration.

Second Position: - Stretch the folded hands forward and raise them above the head while inhaling. Hold them separated shoulder wide and palms facing moon. Make moderate effort to bend your head and over all back backward, feeling expansion of lungs and stretch of the abdomen.

Mantra: OM Mandayei Nmeh, salutations to honor giving rays of moon of Dwitia the second phase of moon (honor giving prestigious festivals such as Bhyya dooj and Id fall on this day and looking at Dooj ka chaand is considered very honorable). This step improves digestion, stretches extra bulk from the stomach and stimulates the spinal nerves.