How To Handle Waxing and Waning

Dear Yogis!

Did you know that many yogis organise their practice around the lunar calendar? The phase of the moon tells them whether to practice or not practice. It is said that the energy of the moon is so powerful that we need to use our own energy accordingly and match the moon cycles. Some yogis find that, at full moon or new moon, they are exhausted or can’t sleep. A vigorous yoga practice would be out of the question.

Before calendars existed, the ancients noticed all kinds of things that we don’t notice now, like the energy of the lunar cycles, how we respond to our environment, how to tend to agriculture and navigate the seas and how we should live in the galaxy.

I found a lovely podcast about moon phases. It’s called Lunar Living With Kirsty Gallagher. The host is Rebecca Dennis. Here’s a summary of her description of moon phases and how we should respond.

She starts with the Dark Moon phase, also called Balsamic moon and waning crescent. This is when there is a tiny bit of moon left. It’s an introverted emotional time when energy levels at their lowest. It’s a phase that pulls you down so that you stop and listen. It’s time for self-care and rest.

Then the new moon is the beginning of the new cycle. It’s time for setting an intention, time to come out of the introspective dark moon phase. This is the waxing crescent moon and energy lifts. It’s a time to do things and figure out how to make things happen. (We’re in a new moon phase now.)

Then the first quarter of the moon. It's 'everybody's favourite time'. It’s an invincible time when everything shifts and you should say yes to everything!

The Waxing Gibbous phase comes next which means the moon is almost full and we feel the same... almost full but something is missing and we're not quite there. It's a phase where people are finding that their sleep is affected. It's where you need to put in a bit more effort into your intention. You’re almost there!

Inevitably comes the full moon, top of energy time. It’s time for celebration. Be positive. Celebrate! Bad experiences are like Velcro; good experiences are like Teflon. We know that there is negativity confirmation bias but if you celebrate your achievements you combat negativity bias. Give yourself the ability to believe in yourself and trust in yourself. It’s peak energy time so emotion is at its highest. Tempers may fray but you can make yourself feel positive emotions.

Now the waning cycle when people forget to do the work. It’s the disseminating moon/Waning Gibbous. We should start to let go of what stood in our way. Energy is starting to go inward.

Then the third quarter waning moon. It’s a crossroads. Look back over what has gone on so far and what is to come. Time for affirmations.

The moon is always keeping us on our tows. Have a listen to the podcast. It’s a good listen.

Classes

And come to class. If your energy is low, we can find a way to reflect how you feel. On the booking page you’ll find all the options. You can book all the classes here.

Yoga in the news 

Livestrong.com has: How Long Do You Really Need to Hold a Yoga Pose? ‘There's no universal variable for how long you should hold a yoga pose — like holding a pose for three breaths or five seconds, for example — because the length of the hold depends on what type of yoga you're doing and what your goals might be. Here's a quick guide on the purpose of each timeframe.’

The New Arab has: Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni's 'The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali'. ‘Al-Biruni opines, “They all, without exception, maintain the belief that souls are bound in the world and tangled in its tethers, and that only those who reach the ultimate goal of liberation through strenuous efforts are freed from these and achieve a permanent afterlife.”’

T3 has: 7 common yoga poses and exactly what they do to your body. For example: 'The Yogi Squat position helps to stretch the groin muscles as well as the lower back, whilst simultaneously aiding to relieve strain sensations in your hip flexors and knee joints.' Pigeon Pose ‘is popular with runners, and for good reason. It not only works to loosen your hip flexors, but it also aids in relaxing your glutes and lower back – all prominent concerns for runners, resistance trainers and anyone physically active.'