Why 108?   

The number's significance is open to interpretation. 108 is an auspicious number in both Yoga and Hinduism.  The number 108 is looked at as the number of wholeness of existence.  108 also refers to the sun, moon and earth, as the average distance of the sun and the moon to the earth is 108 times their respective diameters.   

 Yogic tradition states that there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India.There are also 108 Upanishads, philosophical texts considered to be an early source if the Hindu religion, and 108 marma points which are sacred places within the body.  The numbers separately, 1-0-8, represent one thing, nothing and everything (infinity).    

Malas, the garlands of prayer beads you might see a yogi wearing, consist of 108 beads. A larger bead called Meru on Mala is not counted as one of the 108 Mala beads. Rather it is the guiding bead, a bead that marks the beginning and the end of the Mala. One uses the mala for counting, say as you repeat a mantra.   

It is said that if one can be so calm in meditation to have only 108 breaths a day that enlightenment will come.

There are said to be 108 energy lines or nadis converging to form the heart chakra.

There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals, 108 lies humans tell and 108 human delusions.

The sacred river in India, River Ganga spans a longitude of 12 degrees and a latitude of 9 degrees. 12 times 9 = 108.

According to Marma Adi and Ayurveda, there are 108 pressure points in the human body.

There are said to be 108 types of meditation.

Some say there are 108 paths to Source.

Indian traditions have 108 dance forms.

The first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin lasted 108 minutes – April 1961.

The highest broadcast band of FM radio is 108.0.

1-0-8 is the emergency telephone number in India (such as 911 in U.S.)

Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each has masculine and feminine form called shiva and shakti respectively. 54 times 2 = 108.

And the list goes on of reasons why 108 is special.

108 Sun Salutations in yoga practice is often used to honor change e.g. change of seasons, or at a time of great sadness to bring peace, respect and understanding. Are you up for a challenge to honor change?

Namaste