In order to respect and celebrate the full moon, take time to slow down and rest. It is nice to sometimes just reconnect with Nature, pay attention to the rhythm of the seasons or the cycle of the moon, the closest planet to the Earth.
We know how much influence the moon can have. Think of the tides (oceans following the moon influence, how amazing is that when you think of it!), of women’s moon cycle (no coincidence if it is called like that!). No wonder that the moon is traditionally, in many cultures, perceived as a feminine energy.
In hatha yoga, (ha = sun, tha=moon), the purpose of the practice is to balance both lunar and solar energies.
In a society typically action-driven, focusing more on masculine energies, achievements, it is good to remember to balance that with a more feminine, inward-looking, meditative force.
Even in yoga practice, we can often see that strong, heating, physical practices, generally including sun salutations, have the preference, at least in the West. However, if in our society those values already dominate, it is good to balance them.
In the yogi tradition it is also thought that we have 3 main energy channels in the body:
Ida – calming, restorative, feminine, passive, moon energy
Pingala – energizing, vital, masculine, active, sun energy
Sushumna – is the central, neutral channel, reached when both ida (moon) and pingala (sun) channels are balanced.
What kind of practice around full moon?
Slow down & make space for yourself!
Follow Nature’s rhythm and slow down!
Take time for yourself, with yourself.
Physical practice
Adapt your practice, give more space for restorative and calming poses (forward bends for instance), or practice a Chandra namaskar (moon salutation) instead of the traditional sun salutation. Some of the poses are similar but the intention and the speed are different, leaving you with a different effect at the end, bringing you more inwardly. Adapt your breath (cooling rather than invigorating breaths, avoid udjai breath).
Breath & Meditation
If you dedicate part of your practice to a breath technique, you can choose a left nostril breathing for instance, favoring the ida (moon, restorative, calming) energy. It is also a good breath for the evening, for relaxing, which can be good before sleep. And worth trying if you get a bit restless during full moon sleepless nights!
Meditation
Make sure to leave space for a meditation as well, that allows you to spend time with yourself.
You can also choose to chant a full moon mantra meditation, such as the Antar Naad. It leaves you peaceful and secure.
Here are the syllables:
Sa Re Sa Sa, Sa Re Sa Sa, Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Rung
Ha Re Har Har, Ha Re Har Har, Har Re Har Har Har Rung
Translation:
That Infinite Totality is here, everywhere
That Creativity of the Earth is here, everywhere
This is the base mantra of all mantras. Adversity melts before this mantra.
This mantra takes away negativity from within oneself, awakening the Infinite Creative energy to burn away obstacles to achieving higher consciousness.
The mudra (hand gesture) to accompany this mantra, while sitting in easy pose, is as follow:
Sa Re Sa Sa, Sa Re Sa Sa, Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Rung :
start with hands in a prayer mudra at the navel point. Begin raising the hands. As you pass the heart center you start to open the hands in lotus mudra, all the way up to the brow point.
Ha Re Har Har, Ha Re Har Har, Har Re Har Har Har Rung
Turn the fingers to point down, in reverse prayer (back of the hands touching, palms facing out). Move back all the way down to the navel point. Then turn the hands back up and start again.
You can sing this mantra between 11 and 31 minutes
You can listen to Sa Re Sa Sa on my playlist, sung by Nirnjan Kaur on the Mantra page.
And if you want to practice this mantra with me, next full moon is on 28 June. Chances are I will practice it on the evening class on Friday 29, when we are still in that energy.
Full moon rituals
If you believe in the power of the moon and want to test it, you too can try to harness the different moon energy influences, according to each moon phase.
The Cycles of the Moon:
New Moon: A new cycle. The energy of new possibilities.
It is time to set your intentions for what you want to bring into your life.
Full Moon: Powerful time, amplifying and creative.
It is a time to release what no longer serves you, what you no longer need in your life.
One option to release that which no longer serves you is to write a letter and then burn it. Maybe it is only symbolic, but nevertheless worth a try!
Happy Full Moon, whatever way you choose to celebrate it!
And don't forget to look out the window and admire it, if the sky is not too cloudy!
And if you have crystals, remember to charge them by placing them outside for 24 hours. Just check, some crystals do not tolerate well exposure to the sun, so if this is the case leave those ones outside only during the night. For the others, charge them with both sun and moon.
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