What Is Moon Yoga? A Guide For Beginners?

In the chaos of everyday life, it can be hard to find the space to rest and reflect inward. Many yoga classes focus on dynamic movements to invigorate you. But sometimes, you need a more meditative and reflective practice. In this blog post, you will learn what moon yoga is and how it can help you find rest and relaxation.

What Does The Moon Mean In Yoga?

In yoga, the moon represents calmness, introspection, and the feminine aspect of energy. The moon is about turning inward, embracing stillness, and receiving. This practice encourages practitioners to connect to their inner world.

What Is The Difference Between Sun And Moon Yoga?

Sun Yoga and Moon Yoga are two halves of the whole. Here are some key differences:

Sun Yoga is active and energetic. This practice focuses on heating the body and strengthening muscles with dynamic poses. In a sun salutation, you face the front of your mat.

Moon Yoga is a quieter and more introspective practice. During moon salutations, you face the length of your mat. These poses foster more internal awareness.

What Is A Moon Salutation?

The Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar) is a sequence that harnesses the calming power of the moon. You can practice this series of poses during any phase of the moon. But, it may be particularly powerful during the Full and New moons.

How To Do A Moon Salutation:

• Begin in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) at the top of your mat. Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides, and breathe deeply.
• Moving to Goddess Pose, step your feet wide apart, turn your toes out and your heels in. Bend your knees to come into a squat, keeping your knees in line with your toes. Extend your arms out at shoulder height and bend your elbows to 90 degrees, palms facing forward.
• To move into Star Pose, straighten your legs and reach your arms up and out into a star shape. Keep your feet wide and your entire body long and open.
• Moving to Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), turn your right foot out and align it with the arch of your left foot. Extend your arms at shoulder height and reach out over your right leg, bending at the hip, not the waist. Place your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor, and stretch your left arm up to the sky, turning your gaze upward.
• To get into Pyramid Pose, bend your front leg slightly to bring your left hand down to the mat on the inside of your right foot. Straighten both legs and fold over your front leg.
• Next, get into a Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana). Bend your right knee and step back with your left leg into a low lunge. Keep your right knee over your ankle, and bring your hands to your right thigh or the mat to balance.
• Next, move into Extended Side Angle. Keep your right knee bent, bring your right forearm to rest on your right thigh, and extend your left arm over your head, palm facing down.
• Next, move into Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana). Lift up from the lunge, straighten both legs, and turn to face the long edge of your mat. Keep your feet wide apart, fold forward from your hips, and place your hands on the ground under your shoulders.
• Now, reverse that entire sequence. Go back to Extended Side Angle and Low Lunge on the opposite side, then to Pyramid Pose, Triangle Pose, Star Pose, and Goddess Pose.
• Finally, return to Mountain Pose.