Jupiter Yoga

Goodnight Moon

20 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by stacysoneill in The Moon, Yoga Benefits Tags: the moon

The moon has an effect on all things of a watery nature.  The ocean tides, fertility and the birthing of babies, the emotions and habits of living beings, and even the hatching and possible fate of sea turtles (a source of local pride in my Jupiter, FL area). It is worshipped by religions, used symbolically to represent transition, balance, mystery and wonder, and historically determined the planting and harvesting of crops. Twilight fans can attest to the fact that the moon’s effect (the full moon) can be extreme! But what exactly does the moon have to with yoga?

In yoga, the moon determines the intensity and flow of the practice. When the moon is new (or “dark”), it is associated with all things feminine, cooling, a time of introspection and downward flowing energy. The body is less inclined to be active and we feel a sense of contentment and comfort. As a result, many yoga studios are closed on moon days acknowledging a time of mediation and rest. The asana practice may move more slowly with decidedly more ground based postures and lengthened breath cycles, allowing time to “sow the seeds of change” both in your life and in your practice. A full moon represents the opposite extreme of warming, upward flowing energy, scattered thoughts and more activity. We may have a lot of irons in the fire, but nothing is really getting accomplished, and possibly experience a feeling of being a little “off” with balance postures. Fortunately though, we always have the half-moons (2 of them in the 27 day cycle) to realign ourselves again.

Goodnight stars.
Goodnight air.
Goodnight noises everywhere. . . zzzzzzzz

(excerpt from Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown)