One round at a time.

Guide

How to use the sun salutation counter

Sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) link a series of poses with the breath. Counting rounds in your head pulls attention away from that breath, so tap the button at the end of each round and let the counter remember for you.

Step by step

1. Decide how many rounds you want to practise before you start. Two to four slow rounds is a good beginning.
2. Agree with yourself what counts as one round. Some traditions count leading with the right leg and then the left as one round; others count each side separately. Either works — just be consistent.
3. Return to standing at the end of each round and tap “Complete a round”.
4. Use Undo if you tap twice by mistake, and Reset when you start a new session.

A common version of the sequence

Many Hatha classes teach a twelve-position sun salutation: standing in prayer, arms raised, a forward fold, a low lunge, plank, lowering to the floor, Cobra, Downward-Facing Dog, the lunge on the same side, the forward fold, arms raised and back to standing. Ashtanga’s Surya Namaskar A uses Upward-Facing Dog instead of Cobra and steps or jumps back from the fold. Learn each pose first:

Mountain Pose

The standing start and finish of every round.

Standing Forward Fold

Bend your knees as much as you need.

Low Lunge

Lower the back knee for support.

Plank Pose

Lower your knees to make it lighter.

Cobra Pose

Keep the lift low and lengthen through the spine.

Downward-Facing Dog

Bend your knees and let your heels lift.

How many rounds?

Begin with a few slow rounds and add more gradually over weeks. Twelve rounds is a familiar traditional set. Some studios hold 108-round events around the solstices or equinoxes; they are demanding and not a beginner goal.