The Moon and Me

Another of my articles for Women Today

The Moon and Me

Human beings are about 60 to 70% water and in yoga we believe that this connects us to the cycles of nature, especially to the moon.  As largely liquid beings we respond to the wax and the wan of the moon just like the tides of the ocean with energies rising and lowering at the different times of the month.  This tidal nature of ours affects us in many different ways.   Throughout recorded history lunacy or acting crazy has been associated with the full moon.  Our energies run extremely high at this time of month and it is for this reason that in most yoga traditions, especially those that emphasize a physically challenging practice, that we are told to rest and not to practice when the moon is full.  Like swimming in a king tide or surfing on a tsunami it is foolhardy to try to bring patience and intelligence to unwieldy forces and we put ourselves at risk of injury when we try.    

Likewise yoga recommends quiet and reflection for the new moon.  The new moon is a time of rebirth and renewal. The gravitational forces working on us tend to make us feel more calm and stable but at the same time we may feel physically weaker and not inclined to physical activity.   According to the Farmers Almanac the new moon is the time to plant and so we see it as a time of setting new intentions.  We also equate the new moon with the end of the exhalation, the pause before we start to inhale, and as such it is that moment of emptiness after we have expelled what is old and before we process what is new.  This in itself is a moment to reflect on and so we traditionally spend more time with breathing and observation exercises at this time of month.

For women our tidal being is even more accentuated by our monthly cycle.  Again in yoga we treat this as an opportunity to reflect on and respect our connection to nature and to stay quiet with our practices.  In Ayurvedic medicine they say, let what must come out come out so we recommend a gentle practice of long supported poses that can help to alleviate cramps, ease lower back discomfort and open the hips and abdomen.

Living in a modern world it is easy to feel disconnected from the cycles of nature but yoga and the reflection it invites can start to get you connected again.  Intelligent rest, necessary withdrawal, gentle openings – the moon can invite them all – if only we listen and respond