How to Sync Your Yoga Practice with the Phases of the Moon

How to Sync Your Yoga Practice with the Phases of the Moon

Health & Fitness

Yoga is an age-old practice that goes well beyond physical training. One way to go deeper into the mat is to synchronize with the phases of the moon. The yoga tradition is full of practices, teachings, and folklore relating to the moon. Let’s discuss How to Sync Your Yoga Practice with the Phases of the Moon.

What does yoga have to do with the moon?

Hatha yoga is one of the most popular yoga practices. The word “mere” is translated rather as “intentional”, but it can also be translated from Sanskrit into “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha). This interpretation of hatha yoga practice shows the idea that yoga can balance the polar energies within us. The fiery and vibrating energy of the sun is called “masculine” and the peaceful, reflective energy of the moon is called “feminine”.

Link your practice to the lunar cycle

Respecting the phases of the moon is an ancient part of yoga that many practitioners continue to this day. if we change our practice to synchronize with the changing energies during the lunar cycle, we can better understand ourselves in relation to nature.

What does science say?

Scientifically, the lunar cycle refers to the eight lunar stages seen from Earth. The visible shape of the moon orbits the earth about every 27 days and changes more or less when exposed to sunlight.

Still, much of the research on the phases of the moon and human physiology is mixed. This also applies to menstruation.

However, the same study and another study from 2021 found a link between the phases of the moon and sleep.

The science is mixed, but connecting your practice with the moon is a meaningful way to honor the moon and its secrets.

How to Sync Your Yoga Practice with the Phases of the Moon

Tips for practicing synchronously with the moon

New moon

The new moon is a time of change and renewal. This is a good time to “make room to sow for the next creative cycle,” says Craig. In the Ashtanga practice, the yogi completely renounces the practice on the new moon day. Other traditions prefer the practice of strengthening or gentle yin.

To practice at the new moon

  • Focus on setting the intent for the next month’s cycle.
  • Meditate slowly on your practice.
  • Focus on the change of perspective and the vision of new beginnings.
  • Consider incorporating ajnachak practices.

The ideal pose for the new moon is

  • Sirsasana or vice versa
  • Tadasana or mountain pose
  • Viparita Karani or legs in a wall pose
  • Tree poses and other balanced poses like warrior III, dancer poses, eagle poses, etc.

The exercise topics are as follows

  • A new beginning
  • Set intention
  • Gentle movement

Crescent-shaped crescent moon

Appleby recommends that as you grow, you learn new habits and focus on opening up to new possibilities.

To practice waxing

  • Introduce strength building into your practice.
  • Try a slightly more energetic flow to encourage physical and mental growth.
  • Stand up straight with a long series of standing poses.
  • Practice pranayama breathing to create a fever.

The ideal pose for waxing is

  • Danda Yamana Janushirasana, or a standing head-to-knee pose
  • Annoying or chair posture
  • Virabhadrasana I, II, and III or Warrior I, Warrior II, and Warrior III

The exercise topics are as follows

  • Fire and heat
  • Build strength
  • open

Month of the first trimester

The first quarter of the month is half a month. It occurs one week after the new moon and one week before the full moon.

To practice in the first few months of the trimester

  • Commit to a powerful and fiery stream that warms your body.
  • Let’s start by realizing the goals that were set during the new moon.
  • Incorporate bold back bends and heart openers into your practice to fuel this new growth.

The ideal poses for the first quarter of the month are

 

  • Navasana or boat pose
  • Ardha Chandrasana or Crescent Pose
  • Bujangasana or Cobra Pose

The exercise topics are as follows

 

  • Strength, growth and effort
  • Remove obstacles
  • individuality
  • Gibbs moon waxed
  • This is the moon phase just before the full moon. This is a great opportunity to maximize your mind and body.

To practice during the waxing moon by Gibbs

  • Appleby recommends practicing while the moon energy is at its peak.
  • Craig suggests incorporating dynamic, aerobic, dance movements into your practice.

The ideal poses for a waxed Gibbs Moon are

  • Sun worship
  • Moon worship
  • Ustrasana or camel pose
  • Danda Yamana Danurasana or standing bow
  • Viparita Virabhadrasana or Reverse Warrior

The exercise topics are as follows

 

  • Physical behavior
  • energy
  • openness
  • Full moon

How to practice under the full moon

  • Focus on meditation and manifestation while the energy is high.
  • During this time, practice Restorative Yoga or Yin Yoga.

The ideal pose for the full moon is

  • Baddha Konasana or bound angle pose
  • Barasana or the pose of a child
  • Savasana or corpse pose
  • Yoga Nidra practice

The exercise topics are as follows

  • Fall, fall, fall
  • Feminine healing energy
  • Awareness and enlightenment
  • The downfall of Gibbs Moon

How to Practice During the Sinking Gibbs Moon

Try the yin yang class. In the Yin-Yang class, energy is returned to practice as the body slows down and prepares to accept the energy of the moon.

  • Practice a gentle transition.
  • Focus on the inside.

The ideal poses for Gibbs’ moon in decline are

 

  • Camatkarasana or savages
  • Dhanurasana or bow pose
  • Ekapadaraja Capotasana or Royal Pigeon Pigeon Pigeon

The exercise topics are as follows

  • Introspection
  • Slow it down
  • Inside

Month of the last trimester

The last quarter of the month occurs roughly a week after the full moon and a week before the new moon. The next week is all about exiting the lunar cycle to erase the slate and have a new intention on the next full moon.

To practice in the last months of the trimester

Use the energy you have cultivated during the lunar cycle to slowly expand and practice a gentle flow.

Start adding more and more shadow elements to your practice.

The ideal pose for the month of the previous quarter is

  • Chakravakasana or cat and cow pose
  • Upavistha Konasana or full split pose
  • Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana or a revolving sickle pose

The exercise topics are as follows

 

  • To give up
  • to understand
  • To say goodbye
  • Setting of the crescent moon

This is the final phase of the lunar cycle before we return to the new moon. As Craig says, it should be a moment of contemplation.

“Inner reality is presented through awakening dreams and visions,” she says. “It is fertile land to remember the intentions of the new moon.”

It’s also a great opportunity to “digest and understand the wisdom gained in the last cycle,” he says.

This phase is also known as “dark vinegar” or “balsamic vinegar”.

How to Practice During the Waning Crescent

  • Slow down your practice with a low energy flow or restorative practice.
  • Use accessories to support your body and fully reveal it in a shadow pose.
  • Try practices that focus on digestion.

The ideal pose for the sloping crescent moon is

  • Supta Matsyendrasana or recumbent rotation
  • Savasana or corpse pose
  • Supta Kapotasana or a lying dove with accessories

The exercise topics are as follows

 

  • digestion
  • Rest and education
  • Reflection and manifestation for the future

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