The Number 9 !

A blog written in 2021

First attempt at trying to weave two very different topics into one. This is about a re-initiated journey on Yoga, specifically suryanamaskars (SN’s). Trying to use numerology to make this sound interesting! Strange combination, you think? I agree. Bear with me! Surprising, some might say, especially from somebody like me, who is a numerology non believer (if there is such a term), amongst many other ‘non believer’ that I am

So to the topic of the 108, the number 9 and the SN’s.

1.       108 is a Harshad and a Niven Number. A number divisible by the sum of its integers (Harshad). A Niven is a number which divided by its sum of its integers, produces another Harshad number. There are a few Harshad’s, fewer Niven’s.

2.       1 to the power of 1 is 1, 2 to the power of 2 is 4, 3 to the power 3 is 27. 1*4*27 = 108

3.       There are 54 letters in Sanskrit, each having a feminine and masculine part to it. You know where I am getting at !

4.       A Japa or a mala (Buddhist and Hindu) traditionally have 108 beads

5.       There are 108 upanishads and 108 tantras.

6.       Chanting “Om” 108 times is considered a powerful energising technique

7.       In numerology, 108 equals 9, which symbolizes universal love, eternity and awakening. Harshad is Harsha (Joy) + da (give) in Sanskrit. A number defined by a Indian mathematician.

8.       The distance between the sun and earth is roughly 108 times the diameter of the sun.

9.       And to the topic, 108 suryanamaskars are a way of saying thank you to the sun god for the all positive energy it sends.

Mathematics, the religious inscriptions, numerology and science, all seem to have a affinity to the 108, the 9. Not sure, if there are similar stories for the number 7, number 5 and so on? Possibly so. 9 is more interesting. 😊

Yoga was a ‘exercise’ I practised as a child, without any formal training. Took me many years, to realise the broader reach of yoga as a discipline, when I started learning it, formally, 2 years back.  Stopped training after a year, to start practising again, when there was nearly no outlet for a physical exercise, in this ongoing pandemic. Rather than, walking around in circles (literally and figuratively) on our building terrace, it took a push from a good friend to start again.

That was 31st May and since then, has been a amazing journey. A journey, which started with two of us, increased to a few more, in the days & weeks which followed.

Yoga practised in a open area, is a experience no yogini/yogi should ever miss. Many asanas are best enjoyed with eyes closed, not when you have blue sky to look upon you. Imagine yourself, starting the warm ups and instead of looking at your fellow yogi in front of you, you face the warm morning (or evening) sun. In a Ashwa Sanchalanasana pose, instead of looking at the yoga room’s bare ceiling, you have the beautiful blue sky to look at. A more than occasional bird, gliding through the sky, will make you hold the pose, that trifle second longer. When you are done with your mandatory 12 SN’s and want to take a break between two sets, instead of longing for the fan or the AC in a yoga studio, to cool your system, imagine the gentle, cool, morning/evening breeze flowing through you. All this was a chance discovery and ironically I have to thank a unfortunate chance, called the pandemic!!.

The four of us who started in early June, (two established dancers, one a national level swimmer and I) decided to chase a goal, to keep ourselves motivated. We took upon us to do the 108 SN challenge on 21st June, world yoga day. Meticulously, worked towards getting to the target, focused on moulding the body (and the mind) to achieve the target. The 108 SN’s is not exactly climbing the Everest, nor is it the holy grail of yoga. But a successful completion is fantastic feel good factor. A motivation to continue the journey, a motivation to learn more. We did achieve the 108 without any mishaps on 21st June. Felt absolutely fantastic. For my friends who haven’t tried it, its easier than it looks and its easier than it sounds ! After 21st June, I managed to complete another set of 108 SN’s with 2 more of my friends. There have been interesting incidents during these last few months. None as awesome as doing suryanamaskars in pouring rain ! If none of you have tried it, try it. No kidding ! 😊 

More than the target, I realised, I enjoyed the journey, the discovery, the learning, far more than the end result. Every week we focused on a plan to strengthen, increase flexibility of every part of our body. In the process, all of us discovered to our utter surprise, the endless possibilities our body and mind possess. Stretching and stretching right, breathing right and being aware of what we were doing, turned out to be the most important lessons.

The big positive takeaway for me was the role I ended up playing. Started off in a group, practising together, ended up become a guide, a instructor, supporting the group, in this journey. Three from the group, never thought they would ever attempt the halasana. Each of them now do the halasana to near perfection. The swimming champ does the vertical split with absolute ease. One of them, who found it tough to do the ardha padmasana, because of stiff hips, can now do the padmasana. The same person would make Lord Natraja proud, by the way she holds the natarajasana.

The smiles on their faces, their sense of achievement and satisfaction, was a new discovery for me. A sub conscious effort, it turned out to be, trying to correct a certain pose and correct breathing in a certain pose.. I realised, I had remembered a large part of my training and had retained in me, a kind of a muscle memory. Thanks to my teacher, Gayathri. You have been a fantastic teacher. I have been a good student ?!

Aadya, Netra, Divya, Mousimi, Ramya, Giri, Siyani, Ashwini, Vidya (my dear wifey too!) are part of this journey. Some do it very regularly, some do it whenever possible. Managed to get a few more of my friends in Bombay to start practicing, including my sister, Suchitra. Manjul came very close to the 108. More importantly her journey with Yoga continues. The girls are back to full time online college. One of them has taken Yoga as a elective. The icing on the cake is when a couple of them tell me the disappearance of a couple of chronic medical challenges, after a sustained experience with Yoga. Feels out of the world when I hear that.

Some of us have decided to make 108 SN’s a quarterly affair. But I have a new passion. Planks, which incidentally is a asana, called Phalaksana (or a Kumbhakasana). Have taken a new target. 54 (!) one minute planks (a 60 sec gap separating each plank)… One day, not too far, that will happen too.

And btw, just incase you are wondering if the 108 and 9 story is over. Its actually not. Two of my friends have told me about this story of 9. Both of you know who you are !

I was born on the 27th.

I live in a house, numbered 702.

My mobile number has two 9’s in it and the sum total of all 9 digits is 54.

I was born on a Wednesday. (am sure you have counted the number of alphabets!)

I was born in Ernakulam.

Lastly, the name is Suchindra 😊

Do you think I have become a numerology convert? Or just using it tell a story ! Keep guessing?! 😊 Adieu, till the next blog.