Ashtanga Yoga Moon Days
Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?
Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest.
Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.
*Information gathered from ashtanga.com
Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest.
Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.
*Information gathered from ashtanga.com
2011 Moon Days Observed at Amala Yoga Community (Ashtanga Classes Only)
All Ashtanga Yoga classes will be cancelled on the following Moon Days (non-Ashtanga classes will not be affected), with the exception if the class falls on Sunday. If you're an Ashtanga practitioner, please note on your calendar the following dates for 2011...
January 4 - New Moon
January 19 - Full Moon
February 2 - New Moon
February 18 - Full Moon
March 4 - New Moon
March 19 - Full Moon
April 3 - New Moon, ***Sunday class NOT canceled***
April 17 - Full Moon, ***Sunday class NOT canceled***
May 3 - New Moon
May 17 - Full Moon
June 1 - New Moon
June 15 - Full Moon
July 1 - New Moon
July 15 - Full Moon
July 30 - New Moon
August 13 - Full Moon
August 28 - New Moon
September 12 - Full Moon
September 27 - New Moon
October 11 - Full Moon
October 26 - New Moon
November 10 - Full Moon
November 25 - New Moon
December 10 - Full Moon
December 24 - New Moon
January 4 - New Moon
January 19 - Full Moon
February 2 - New Moon
February 18 - Full Moon
March 4 - New Moon
March 19 - Full Moon
April 3 - New Moon, ***Sunday class NOT canceled***
April 17 - Full Moon, ***Sunday class NOT canceled***
May 3 - New Moon
May 17 - Full Moon
June 1 - New Moon
June 15 - Full Moon
July 1 - New Moon
July 15 - Full Moon
July 30 - New Moon
August 13 - Full Moon
August 28 - New Moon
September 12 - Full Moon
September 27 - New Moon
October 11 - Full Moon
October 26 - New Moon
November 10 - Full Moon
November 25 - New Moon
December 10 - Full Moon
December 24 - New Moon
