Moon days
Full Moon and New Moon in Ashtanga Yoga are considered days off the practice. What are the grounds?
Human body consists in 70% of water. Accordingly, just like other things that have a quality of water, we depend on the Moon cycles. The Moon Cycles are established upon the Moon’s position relative to the Sun. Both the Moon and the Sun affect gravity. Their position results from various energetic phenomena that can be compared to a breathing cycle. Energy of Full Moon represents ending of inhalation – when the power of prana is the greatest. This is an expansive, upward power that makes us feel energetic and more emotional. However, we are not well grounded then. Upanishads state that the main parana resides in head. That is why during Full Moon we tend to be more stubborn. A risk of getting injuired increases then. Blood circulates faster, body and mind are more dynamic. Energy of New Moon represents ending of exhalation when apana’s power is the greatest. Apana is a prana governing a bottom of abdomen. It moves energy downward. It makes us feel calmer and more grounded but its density makes us less eager to make a physical effort. Blood circulates slower, body and mind incline towards heaviness. The agricultural almanac recommends to plant seeds during New Moon when the germination power is the greatest, whereas to graft plants during Full Moon when blooming power is the greatest. Praticing Ashtanga throughout a long time makes us search natural cycles and tune into the them. Observing and abiding Moon days is one of the ways to recognize and respect rhythm of Mother Nature so that we live in harmony with She.
Ewa Makowska