MoonBlog: A Dozen Moons
Written by Jen M.
Hello and happy MOONday to you, Funky Buddhas! (If you’re reading this blog on Tuesday-Sunday, please skip that pun and continue below).
Is anyone else over the moon about June’s “Focus of the Month” at Funky Buddha? Fellow half moon lovers (and even those that wax and wane) rejoice, because our month of a dozen half moons has lots of wonderful variations, interpretations, and opportunities for play, challenge, restoration, insight and balance.
Did you know…
Half moon (in Sanskrit, Ardha Chandrasana) strengthens the muscles that connect low back and hips, strengthen your vestibular system for better balancing, stretches your inner groins and hamstrings, and can improve your hip joint range of motion? This pose specifically strengthens the upper backside muscles, which can support the low back and pelvic floor. This pose is (inter)stellar!
For a supported half moon, try on:
- Mini half moon– also known as supported side plank. Take tight hamstrings and balancing out of the equation a bit, and enjoy a grounded version of this pose resting on your knee rather than on foot. (You may find you can expand more into the open rotation and further engage your outer hip muscles even more!)
- Self-assisted half moon– try pressing your hand into and outward through your standing upper leg in half moon to better stabilize and to support the external rotation of your leg.
- More options to support your half moon include one or two blocks under your bottom hand, looking toward the floor, or keeping some fingertips on a wall or windowsill for greater stability.
For more play and challenge in your half moon, try on:
- Sugarcane – bending your top knee, foot toward backside, and holding your foot (or your foot in a strap or towel).
- ‘Float’ moon – Rather than bottom fingertips to the floor or a block, play with tapping fingertips away from the floor, or even hands at hearts center. Hot tip- keep your gaze low for greater balance.
- Bound half moon – a play on Bird of Paradise pose, the hands (or added strap/towel) bind under and behind the standing leg.
And if you really want to go “out of this world” with moonplay, try incorporating moon salutations into your yoga practice!
Moon salutations are a lovely complement to Sun salutations (Chandra Namaskar and Surya Namaskar, respectively) and include a sequence of 15 side to side and expansive movements around the mat in a circular manner. This sequence is even said to be soothing, calming, and introspective. Nothing like a little reflection, eh? (That’s another moon pun for ya).
Or even consider this MOON BREATH:
Said to calm the mind, cool the body, and pave the way for retrospection and insights, Chandra Bhedana Pranayama (Moon Piercing Breath) is a variation on alternate nostril breathing:
Take a few breaths in your own easy rhythm. Then, inhale through the left nostril while blocking off the right nostril with thumb or fingers, then switch your hand to exhale through the right nostril. Repeat this same cycle of inhaling left, exhaling right for a minute or two or more if it makes sense for you, continually using your thumb or fingers to block off each nostril.
And for those that like their physical yoga practice with a helping svadhyaya (self-study) and a dash of squishy gooey thoughts and feelings, I’ll leave you with this–
Much of the physical yoga practice these days comes from Hatha Yoga. Hatha is the combination of “ha” meaning sun and “tha” meaning moon. The practice is meant to be complementary, balanced, even, unified. Are there any areas in your yoga practice (or in your LIFE) where there is too much drive, heat, churn, or rush? Any areas where things have fallen too passive, still, cold, stagnant? This is not to say we are all perfectily in balance all the time… In fact, can you notice yourself as one with the world and the rhythms of nature, energy and lifeforce waxing and waning like the moon itslef, pushing and pulling like the tides? Are there any areas in yoga practice or your life that could use more… reflection?
Our wise and creative team of teachers will offer many of the breath, body, and mental moon plays above, and so many more. We wish you a wonderful start to the summer season- and may your playfulness, your bright shine, your fullness be reflected in the moons this month and always, dear yogis.
