No one is more ready for sun than Mimi Rieger. On April 5, the yoga instructor is slated to lead Cherry Blossom Yoga, an outdoor free class at the foot of the Washington Monument.

And I dont want to have to wear a ski jacket, says the Louisiana native, whose voice hasnt lost its Southern lilt even after 16 years in Washington.

Vicky Hallett

Writes for the MisFits column.

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But if chillier temperatures prevail, Rieger has a surefire way to warm up the crowd: sun salutations.

Known in Sanskrit as surya namaskar, the two series of postures are found in several popular styles of yoga, including Ashtanga, vinyasa and power.

The sequences can look like slower, more controlled versions of the burpees commonly found in boot-camp-type workouts, and they have some of the same physical benefits. Both require people to lower themselves to the ground and get back up again, which raises heart rates and engages muscles all over the body. But sun salutations are a particularly intelligent and safe way to move, Rieger says.

Basically, its the foundation of the yoga I teach, she says. And thats a lot of yoga. Rieger leads 26 classes a week at several studios and gyms across town, in addition to her outreach work through Sweetgreen in Schools and Anacostias Community Wellness Collective.

Every practice starts with the first sun salutation series, or Sun Salutation A (as opposed to Sun Salutation B). Begin by standing tall and lifting your arms to the sky, creating length in the spine and limbs, Rieger says, while taking a deep inhalation.

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Here comes the sun salutation