The Moon

I have had this post in draft mode for several months. In fact, I completely forgot about it. I was playing with getting a full moon widget on my blog and wasn't successful, so I abandoned the idea.

It was just a full moon earlier this week (9/13/11). The moon does have an effect on us, just like the sun has an effect on us. It brings out more of our yin energy. Yin energy is a feminine energy and no, you don't have to be a female to have feminine energy. Women need both masculine and feminine energy. Men need both masculine and feminine energy. It's possible for a woman to have more masculine then feminine energy as it is possible for a man to have more feminine energy.

Masculine energy is often though of as yang meaning it's light, focused and logical and active. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) are considered a yang or masculine energy.
Feminine energy is often thought of as yin energy, meaning, it's dark, intuitive and receptive. Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) are considered a yin or feminine energy.

A full moon is the strongest time of yin energy. Lunar energy is healing. It's a perfect time to turn inward and contemplative and focus on our intuitive energy.

In my yoga class this week, I lead my students through a quiet, gentle warm-up, Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) followed by a forward folding sequence. Chandra Namaskar consists of the following sequence:

Tadasana (Mountain Pose) - Palms together at heart center
Uttihita Tadasana - Reaching up bring palms together overhead
Chandrasana (Crescent Moon Pose) - arching to the right
Uttihita Tadasana - Reaching up bring palms together overhead
Chandrasana (Crescent Moon Pose) - arching to the left
Goddess Pose or Victory Squat - squat, arms at sides in an L-shape, palms forward
Star Pose - stand, arms out to the side
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) - to the right.
Parsvottanasana (Pyramid or Head to knee pose) - leaning over straight right leg
Lunge (high or low) to the right
Forward Facing Lunge - turn forward; left leg extended
Malasana (Squat Post) - stay facing front bring hands to prayer position at heart center
Forward Facing Lunge - right leg extended
Lunge (high or low) - to the left
Parsvottanasana (Pyramid or Head to knee pose) - leaning over straight left leg
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) - to the left.
Star Pose - stand, arms out to the side
Goddess Pose or Victory Squat - squat, arms at sides in an L-shape, palms forward
Chandrasana (Crescent Moon Pose) - reach up, bring palms together overhead; arch to the left
Uttihita Tadasana - Reaching up bring palms together overhead
Chandrasana (Crescent Moon Pose) - arching to the right
Uttihita Tadasana - Reaching up bring palms together overhead
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) - Palms together at heart center

This is one variation of Chandra Namaskar that I particularly like. As with Surya Namaskar there are multiple variations available.

Next time you need to nurture your ying energy be sure to give Chandra Namaskara a try.

YogaMint Reiki

I can't believe it! I'm published. 

http://yogamint.com/_webapp_3941248/Universal_Life_Energy?A=SearchResult&SearchID=2781317&ObjectID=3941248&ObjectType=35

I love it. I'd like to write some more. There I put it out there in the universe. It's time to make it come true.