Last week, I introduced you to santosha and the 108 Sun Salutations challenge. If you didn’t have the chance to read my newsletter/blog, you can click on this link to access it.

Please keep reading if the topic caught your attention.

A “sun salutation” is a dynamic sequence of seven yoga postures (Surya namaskar A) combining specific breathing patterns with movement and mindfulness, honouring the sun and symbolizing vitality, warmth, and light in our lives. This sequence is usually repeated 3-5 times to prepare for other postures by warming up the body.

Performing 108 consecutive sun salutations, also known as a “108 Sun Salutations challenge,” honours transitions—such as solstices and equinoxes—or brings peace, respect and understanding during a tragedy. This intense, rigorous physical and mental endeavour requires focus, strength, stamina, and determination.

The First Challenge

During the spring of 2016, when I was in my late fifties, I attended a yoga session at Yoga Public in Winnipeg along with about 30 other yoga enthusiasts. This was my first time participating in a 108 Sun Salutations challenge, which was an unforgettable experience.

Standing in samasthiti (equal standing posture) at the top of my mat, I initially felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing that I was about to embark on a demanding physical practice—and almost everyone in the room was much younger than I was.

As I started to breathe deeply and prepared for the first sun salutation, my body began to warm up, and I settled into the flow of the sequence. I coordinated my breath with the movements, inhaling and exhaling as instructed, to transition between poses. Initially, I found the flow smooth and effortless. However, as repetitions increased, I noticed my muscles working harder, and fatigue started setting in.

The teacher, Shivaun Berg, counted out the salutations in sets of ten, and after three sets, I noticed a change in my ujjayi breathing pattern. It became louder, more rhythmic and controlled, helping me find a meditative state. The physical intensity of the practice began to merge with the mental focus required to complete each repetition.

As I continued to do more sets of sun salutations, I started sweating, and my heartbeat increased. The tiredness became even more pronounced, and I began to doubt if I could complete all 108 sequences. This was a crucial moment where I had to keep my mind focused. By concentrating on ujjayi, I managed to push through the physical discomfort and turned into a human metronome.

Around the halfway mark, I experienced significant physical and mental exhaustion. Thoughts of giving up crept into my mind, but I drew on my inner strength and determination to continue. The mental battle became just as important as the physical one.

Approaching what I hoped was the final set of sun salutations, I was filled with a mix of relief, pride, and exhaustion. I dug deep within myself, finding a newfound sense of resilience and power through the remaining repetitions.

The sense of accomplishment and euphoria upon completing the 108th sun salutation was overwhelming. Yet, simultaneously, I experienced a profound, transformative sense of accomplishment and inner peace, knowing that I had pushed my boundaries and achieved something challenging and gratifying.  

The Third (and last) Challenge

My first and second challenges gave me a deep sense of inner strength, resilience, and peace. However, introspection washed over me during my third attempt at the 108 Sun Salutations in December 2016.

A few thoughts surfaced as I moved through the repetitive motions: Why am I doing this? When will enough be enough? Can I really do this now that I’m 59 years old? As these questions persisted, I realized the importance of finding contentment, santosha, in the face of adversity.

Santosha teaches us to find contentment in the present moment, to overcome challenges, and to enjoy the journey instead of focusing on the outcome or constantly striving for more.

With this renewed awareness, I shifted my perspective and focused on cultivating gratitude for my mind and body’s strength and resilience. I reminded myself that I was not taking on this challenge to prove anything to anyone but to deepen my connection with myself and my practice.

As I continued to flow through the sun salutations, I tapped into a wellspring of resolve and inner peace. The questioning and doubts that had initially arisen transformed into a quiet confidence that I was exactly where I needed to be at that moment.

With each repetition, I embraced the crushing discomfort, not as a sign of weakness but as an opportunity for growth. I no longer fixated on the number of sun salutations but relished the physical sensations and mental fortitude required to persevere.

As I neared the end of the challenge, a sense of serenity enveloped me. I recognized that my journey was not solely about reaching a specific physical goal but about unravelling the layers of my self-doubt and discovering the depths of my inner strength.

Finally, as I completed the 108th sun salutation, a surge of elation and fulfillment washed over me. Once again, I had pushed beyond my perceived limitations and found solace in embracing santosha along the way.

This experience taught me that the answer to “when is enough enough” lies within ourselves. It’s a personal journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. By cultivating santosha, we can find contentment in the present moment, regardless of our external challenges.

Embracing Santosha

Reflecting on my three 108 Sun Salutations “wins,” I’m grateful for the lessons learned and the growth experienced. I carry the spirit of santosha, reminding myself to find joy in the journey and embrace contentment in my yoga practice and all aspects of my life.

I hope I’ve inspired you to find contentment in your own life.

Just as the principle of santosha encourages us to seek peace amidst chaos, the number 108 reminds us of the interconnectedness of all beings and our place in the cosmic dance of life.

Let’s all embrace the essence of santosha and find contentment within ourselves, living harmoniously with the world around us, supporting and uplifting one another every step of the way.

I look forward to seeing you at Studio 71 Yoga in 2024, where we will NOT be practicing 108 sun salutations. For the upcoming offerings, please click here.

In the meantime, I wish you and yours a peaceful, safe, and joyful holiday season and a mindful start to the new year.

With joy, gratitude and contentment,

Jeannine