The Ashtanga Primary series begins with Surya Namaskar A and B and many Iyengar classes integrate the Sun Salutations. If you go to a "vinyasa" class or power yoga or hot flow, etc., it's all based on the salutations.
Suryas are great for getting the blood moving, lubricating the joints, etc., but they are inherently devotional sequences that allow you to access that feeling of connecting to Something Else. In the Suryas the ujayii breath is very strong, and the movements are linked to breath. The physical exertions are like offerings (I don't know to whom exactly perhaps just to yourself).
Think of sun salutations as devotional movement to achieve a sense of grace and non-self-criticism. Don't think about your physical struggles with keeping the movements going (5 in A and 5 in B is traditional, although 3 B's is the usual around here) but about staying with your offering -- focus on giving your sun salutes rather than suffering for them.
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