Moon Days

[Sarah]

I have come across a few blogs where no practice on moon days is considered.

Can you all enlighten me on this topic?

Is it just for Ashtanga practice?

What is the reasoning?

Do you follow it?

What are you're feelings on this?

Namaste

[Yogamum]

I like Tim Miller's explanation best:

http://ashtangayogacenter.com/moon.html

I don't know if other traditions observe moon days. I tend to observe selectively, i.e. when it's convenient for me. I have noticed that I seem to be more likely to injure myself on a moon day.

[Bendy]

Oh, I like Time Miller's take on it.

I have heard that one is more likely to get injured on a moon day---on full moon days because you might feel so energetic that you push too far and new moon days because you have no energy and shouldn't be pushing it at all! I tend to practice on moon days, though, and haven't noticed much of a difference.

I wonder if those who have practiced consistently over a very long period of time notice a difference?

[Sarah]

Ah I see - thanks for the link.

Ok another one - why is it that my calander says different full and new moon days compared to the chart on that site. They are only out by a day but just wondering.

[Bendy]

Sarah, It depends on where you are. This month, for where I live, the new moon was on the 6th, and full moon is the 20th. However, for Beijing, it's the 7th and the 21st. Here is a cool site for checking when your moon days are, depending on where you are.

[Globie]

I think its just an ashtanga thing not to practice on Moon days, New and Full. Some say its to be in tune with natures energy. Because the body is mainly water, its believed that we are affected in the same ways as the tides are affected by the moon. On New moon days we are weaker and on Full moon days we have too much energy, both of which could lead to injury. Some Shala's observe the days, we used to, but now its left to individuals. We also used to do a yin practice on Moondays rather than a full ashtanga practice. But I suspect most ashtangi's take them as a free from guilt day off practice.