We all have this question – Why not practising on the Full Moon? In this article, I would like to shed some light for a better understanding.
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 the 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 the inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expensive, 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.
Myths and Truth about the Moon days:
Myth: All yogis should avoid practising yoga when the moon is full.
Truth: In the Ashtanga yoga tradition, yogis observe the full moon to rest.
The moon has an effect on the Earth’s bodies of water. Since our bodies are mostly water, the moon has an effect on our bodies as well. During the full moon, many of us are a bit more edgy, irritable, or downright moody, and this can result in injury if we are not careful whilst practising yoga.
Myth: The full moon signifies a woman’s menstrual cycle, and when a woman is menstruating, they should not practice yoga.
Truth: Women’s cycles may be consistent with a 28-day cycle like that of the moon, but in no way does a woman always menstruate on the full moon. While a woman may refer to her period as her “moon time” this has little to do with whether or not the moon is full. It might, however, dictate the type of yoga practice a woman will feel comfortable doing.
Respecting your cyclical nature, whether you are a woman or a man, is an important aspect to consider with regard to your yoga practice. The real balance lies in whether or not you are able to ebb and flow with the rise and fall of your ambitious nature so you don’t get hurt.
The best way for you to determine if it is right to practice on the full moon is to pay attention to yourself. If you are one who follows tradition, then skip your practice until the moon begins to wane. If you understand yourself to know how to maintain a healthy balance, practice with astute consideration of your energy level.
By the way, if the whole moon day thing is new to you, here is how Tim Miller explains it:
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 the 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 expensive, 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 honour the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.
Please find 2017 Moon Days here to mark your Calendar