What is "Sun Salutation A"?

Sun Salutation A (Surya Namskar A) is a precise form of sun salutation that commences Ashtanga Yoga. A has 10 vinyasas which are pictured in the illustration.  "Vinyasas" are the counted movements beginning with Ekam (one).

Teachers who don't regularly practice and teach Ashtanga Yoga may not be teaching A correctly.  

Lately I've been to some non-Ashtanga classes in which the teacher announced "Sun Salutation A" but then proceeded to teach a sun salutation which is not Sun Salutation A, kind of like announcing “Virabhadrasana” and then teaching a lunge instead.  Let's be accurate about what we are teaching so as not to confuse the students.

Here is a simple, non-Sanskrit version of SSA for use in non-Ashtanga classes:

Inhale, hands up

Exhale, fold forward

Inhale, look up

Exhale, step or jump to push-up position (or go to the floor)

Inhale, upward dog

Exhale, downward dog.

count to 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,

Inhale, step or jump to the front and look up

Exhale, fold

Inhale, hands up

Exhale, back to standing

I hope this alleviates confusion about Sun Salutation A. 

Here are the Vinyasas for Sun Salutation B.