The Moon and our Ashtanga Practice

Did you know that the full moon can have an effect on us and on our Ashtanga practice?
Tides of the sea are impacted by the moon’s cycles. As our bodies are made up of 70% water, it goes to show that the moon’s cycles also play an important part on us. The days that precede a full moon causes us to have an increase in our internal tide, an increase in bodily fluids which results in increased energy. This can cause us to be over-stimulated hence intense practice is not recommended. The days that precede a new moon causes a decrease in the fluids of the body and hence the body is more dry and therefore more prone to injury. The 24 hours preceding the exact time that the moon is at its peak (whether brightest or darkest) is also a day to avoid practice.
The waning or darkening of the moon is a reducing, ‘apanic’ process. The peak of a dark moon is the time to start new ventures as it is renewing in nature. This 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.
When the moon becomes brighter, it is an increasing, accumulating ‘pranic’ process. This full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. It is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded.
Our emotions are also strongly affected by the cycle of the moon. We are tense and over anxious on the full moon and we feel depleted and depressed on the new moon.
Here is a schedule for the Full and New Moon for the rest of the year:
Full Moon
October 18 Friday
November 17 Sunday
December 17 Tuesday
New Moon
November 03 Sunday
December 02 Monday
By paying attention to the different phases of the moon and acknowledging the moon and its effects on us, we bring not only greater fulfillment to ourselves but also to our practice.
Rose
200Hr YTTC Weekend Jul-Oct 2013