Why not practise on Moon Days?

Most of modern society lives according to the calendar and the clock, not the cycles of nature. Yet we belong to nature, we ARE nature, even though so many people do not acknowlege that fact. Our bodies are profoundly affected by seasons, planetary cycles, celestial bodies and all the rhythmic movements of nature.

The phases of the moon exert a gravitational force upon all things watery. Tides and menstrual cycles are the obvious examples. But our bodies, which are about 70% water, and the bodies of all living things, also experience this gravitational pull. From ancient times, farmers have observed the effect of moon cycles upon their crops and have learned to plant, harvest and transplant accordingly. Leafy, upwards growing crops should be planted with the waxing moon; root crops should be planted with the waning moon.

The practice of ashtanga yoga brings us into conscious harmony with the cycles of nature. Traditionally, the days of full and new moon are observed as yoga holidays. Full moons occur when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun. New moons occur when the moon is between the earth and the sun. Both points are the extremes of the moon cycle, when the planetary energy is most intense, when the moon is either a fully illuminated globe or a barely perceptible crescent.

Tim Miller, one of the first western yogis to study with Pattabhi Jois, explains that the energetic experience of the moon cycle 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, upwards moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional but not well grounded. The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downwards moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion."

Yoga always works with, not against the cycles of nature. My own experience (and I admit . . .  I have practised on Moon Days in the past) is that something usually goes wrong--injuries, emotional disturbances, extreme heaviness or lightness. These are the kinds of things likely to happen. Now, I never practise strong asana on Moon Days, honouring the wisdom of a tradition that has proved itself correct to me.

Seven Winds Yoga classes meet as usual on Moon Days, but the practice will be different. This is an opportunity for us to explore other dimensions of yoga.  Each Moon Day class is a unique and special experience. It is important to check the time of the full and new moon for your own particular time zone to determine when the Moon Days fall. Moon Days at Seven Winds follow GMT, with Summer Time incorporated according to convention.

Om Shanti

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