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Do you trust yourself?

What are the dreams and visions you have been having lately?

Are you ready to take risks and put your fear away in order to achieve your dreams?

I know it sounds easier than it is.

” I always dream of doing….”

” I would love..but”

We are specialists in being busy and making excuses to delay, postpone or never achieved our dreams our goals.

I was like that as well but now I am determined to follow my dreams, and yes sometimes it will be hard and yes I have to be ready to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

To step out of my comfort zone and do things I have never done before.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results”

Albert Einstein

The fear to be judged, the fear to fail it can be paralyzing.

If we only change the perspective toward this we will be taking a massive shift.

If we can see we are our worst judge and maybe realize that by putting ourselves out there we might be helping someone else whit similar problems. Or instead of being afraid of making mistakes we realize that we don’t know everything, that we will make tons of mistakes so we can embrace them and take them as learning opportunities.

There will ALWAYS be obstacles along your path so that you can continually learn more of who you are and how you show up for the occasion.

Every full moon is the time to focus our energies on letting go and releasing all fears.

Time to reflect on what is no longer serving us and adapt to evolve.

Because things not always will present in the exact same way we planned it to be.

Since 2018, every full moon I host a yoga class by donation to fundraise a non-profit organization here in the Cayman Islands.

This year October’s full moon date is busy with lots of events and things happening on the island so I have decided to plan this magical encounter 1 week after the full moon.

On the Saturday of October 19th, I will be hosting an Acroyoga Jam.

This is a playful practice the invites us to meet and have fun while we learn how to perform yoga poses with others.

Click in the image below to access to the full info

Link to the Event

If you want to learn how to perform the moon salutations also known as Chandra Namaskar, the yin side of the Sun salutations, a gentle flow that invites us to cool down and reflect.

 I am giving away a free tutorial. You can have access by clicking on this LINK 

On October’s full moon let’s stop the shxt. Trust and believe in yourself fully and be fiercely independent when it comes to following your heart.

Unleash Your Inner Badass

I encourage you to take one action one step that will help you to be closer to achieve your dreams

And feel free to share in the comments below.

For positive changes.

Namaste

Why Acroyoga?

Every full moon has a different name, this was the way Native American Tribes would track the seasons. August full moon is known as the Sturgeon Full Moon. This is because Native Americans knew that the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. The surgeon is an ancient fish, people will call live fossil

The word “sturgeon” means “the stirrer,” which is what this giant fish does when it is looking for food; it stirs up the mud and silt on river and lake bottoms.

Famers Almanac

According to some tarot readers, August’s Full Moon invites us to let our imagination stir with eccentric ideas and visions that will contribute to the whole and betterment of our society. 

Before even knowing this I have decided to change my fundraiser classes to an Acroyoga Jam.

Every full moon since August 2018 I have been hosting a yoga class to fundraise a nonprofit organization Cayman’s Act of Random Kindness in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

I hosted these classes around the full moon dates and during the classes, we worked with the full moon energy. We reflect about what do we need to release and let go and we practices a slow yoga secuense as the Moon Salutations or Chandra Namaskar in sanskrit

(You can read more about it int this Blog Post )

August full moon in 2019 is 1 year I have been hosting these classes!

I am so happy that I want to celebrate the anniversary involving more people in an acro-yoga practice

Acroyoga is all about letting go and trust.

Letting go of the fears, the insecurities. Stop saying to your self “I can’t”, “I am not strong enough” or any other excuses that might show up.

“This full moon is here to help hold you accountable for stepping into who you really are and releasing those layers and masks that no longer authentically align“

Brittney Carmichael

I decided to do an acro yoga jam because when I have practiced acro-yoga for the first time I felt free but I felt free with others and I want to share this with you.

Acroyoga is a community-based practice that encourages personal transformation.

Acroyoga invites you to experience the full spectrum of your being through opportunities to:
-give and receive
-support and be supported
-experience strength and sensitivity.

It is a systematic approach to health and healing designed to be accessible for every practitioner.
It is fun to practice and fun to watch.

“The best of acro yoga is that it brings people together in the old fashion way, through human connection, touch, and play”

Jason Nemer

No one knows exactly when this practice started, acrobatics and yoga have been mixed in many ways for thousands of year.

But it has been found photos with ancients yogis practicing similar poses to what it is Acroyoga today with kids.

Krishnamacharya and one of his daughters presenting a little ‘acroyoga’ in a scene from the 1934 film documentary footage “Breath of God”

No a days there are two well known yoga shcool in Canada, “Acroyoga Montreal and “Acroyoga International”, among many other qualify teachers

Acroyoga is all about community, relationships, and partnerships. Has grown beyond one school or one person only. Thanks to the curiosity of the modern yoga teachers, practitioners, and acrobats who have shared their knowledge now we can know acro-yoga as it is.

If you are currently living or visiting in the Cayman Islands
I invite you to come and join the practice.

facebook event link

We will meet on Saturday august 17th, from 5 to 6:30pm in an outdoor grass area at Public Beach, next to Calicos bar and next to the kids playground area as a reference to find us.

Please bring:

  • Yoga Mat
  • Water bottle
  • Towel, because we are going to sweat 😉
  • Moquito spray in case de mosquito get to crazy at the sunset
  • And good vibes

All the $ donations for the class will go to fundraise Cayman’s Act of Radom Kindness.

If you love outdoor sports, yoga nd acrobatics I have created the perfect retreat for you. This is an “Acroyoga &Rock Climb Retreat” in Cayman Brac.

Click here to know more about it

Feel free to contact me any time

info@sannyasa.yoga

Join the facebook group Yoga for every Acrobat, were I posted weekly videos tutorials with easy yoga postures to to encourage you to practice at home so you can imporve your acrobatic development.

Hope to see you in on one these places

Renée

June’s Strawberry Moon

In the month of June we can find some interesting dates you might not know about.

One of them is June’s full moon on the 17th, it has associations with ripening and the fullness of life. 

In North America, indigenous peoples called it the Full Strawberry Moon because of the berries they collected around that time.

In Europe, terms like Honey Moon and Mead Moon presented early summer as a time to wed. Newly married couples in Europe received mead and honey as gifts, a custom that probably gave rise to the modern term “honeymoon” probably comes from this tradition. 

Pagan cultures talk about the June full moon as the Lovers’ Moon and perform sweetening rituals. In India, married couples celebrate the June full moon as Vat Purnima.  This tradition calls on married women to fast, put on particularly beautiful saris, and wrap a thread seven times around a banyan tree. This expresses a wish that their husbands will live long and be happy.

How we can be influence by the moon?

According to the tarot readers each full moon is the time to release and let go.

Because of the aspects present this full moon, you can expect extra focus, optimism, and feelings of security as you pursue your goals. Is time to focus on your personal growth, don’t hold anymore things that are not letting you evolve.

Allow yourself to be creative; is a good idea to jornal your thoughts and your emotions as something to do as the first thing in the morning, without judgments.

Write down in a pease of paper what you want to manifest and what you want to let go. Be clear, be specific; go outside the night of the full moon and read it out loud.

Burn the paper where you wrote the things you are releasing (be safe) and keep the paper with the things you want to achieved. Save it in a place where you can read it every morning until it is manifested.

Another interesting date of the month is June 21st, a day to celebrate the summer solstice

What is a solstice? 

Ancient cultures knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year.

They built monuments, such as Stonehenge – in South West England – to follow the sun’s yearly progress. No one really knows why Stonehenge was built some 5,000 years ago. But one possibility is that it was used to mark solstices and equinoxes. That’s because during the summer solstice, the sun rises just over the structure’s Heel Stone and hits the Altar Stone dead center.

Today, we know that the solstice is an astronomical event, caused by Earth’s tilt on its axis and its motion in orbit around the sun.

Did you know June 21st is the International Yoga Day?

As you might know already, yoga is an ancient practice originated from India. This practice is 5000-year -old which heals your mind, body and soul and we can say that yoga reforms your thoughts to peruse a great lifestyle.

June 21st was declared as the International Day of Yoga on December 11 in 2104, by United Nations General Assembly after the call for the adoption of June 21st as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. 175 nations took part in this resolution.

During his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 Modi said,

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day”

 Narendra Modi, UN General Assembly

By suggesting June 21 (which is summer Solstice) as international yoga day India Prime Minister said that- “The date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world”. 

Bringing together all these interesting events taking place in June; I have decide to host the monthly Chandra Namaskar practice on Friday June 21st, 2019, where we will gather to celebrate the full moon, the summer solstice and the yoga day.
Wow so many good things!

The event will take place At 6:15pm, with a Yoga Class where all the donations will be to fundraise  Cayman’s Act of Random Kindness

If you are around this side of the world you are absolutely welcome to participate.

Here is a flyer with a link of the event below

Facebook event Link

We will practice Chandra Namaskar also know as Moon Salutations.

I will guide you in a slow flow practice that invite us to cultivate the moon’s soothing lunar energy.


What to bring?:

  • Your  Yoga Mat 
  •  Your water bottle.
  • Pen and paper to perform a release ritual.
  • Mosquito Spray for the sunset
  • Blanket if you prefer to cover during the meditation

Place: Dart family Park.
Link to the map direction

If you can please share this event, we will definitely appreciate it and you will be helping us to reach more people.

Love & Gratitude

Renée

The last Super Moon of 2019

March’s full moon is the third and final super-moon for the rest of 2019.

2019March 20
9:42 pm EDT		March 21
01:42 UTC

We will also celebrate Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time.

This change in seasons causes a shift in the expression and flow of energy around us.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Spring is a time where everything comes into bloom. Is a time where the energy is moving from an inner state to an outer state. There is a lot of outward energy guiding us and encouraging us to get out there and express ourselves.

The days will be longer than the nights! And with longer days, comes the return of Yang energy.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Autumn is perhaps one of the most meaningful times of year as it reminds us of the cycle of death and rebirth.

It is a time where we have to release, clear out the clutter, and to celebrate all we have achieved and accomplished. It is also a time of harvest, where we can recap the rewards of all our hard work and effort

“You might have a strong need for balance and harmony now. You probably desire to keep things “nice” rather than venturing into fundamental questions in order not to disturb the peace. You must learn to share your good and bad feelings. Do not be afraid to be who you really are, despite what is expected of you”.

This Full Moon is going to supercharge us. It is going to awaken and revive us. It is going to help us find new inspiration and joy for life. We are going to feel a push forward, and we are going to feel excited about the journey to come.

During this time we are letting go of the old so we can grab on to the new intention we manifest at the time of the new moon.

Full moons are a time for celebration!

To honour the moon; to celebrate and to give back to the community I will be hosting a Yoga class by donations.

We will practice Chandra Namaskar commonly know as Moon Salutations f

This practice is a quieting sequence that invites you to slow down, bowing to and cultivate the moon’s soothing lunar energy. Paying special attention to the quality of each movement. Instead of moving quickly, jumping into and out of poses as we would in Sun Salutations, we move slowly, as though we were moving through water.

This will helps anyone who suffers anxiety or feels under stress.

When?

  • Thursday March 21st
  • 6-7pm

Where?

At Quinntessential Movement, Pole and Aerial dance studio

Located in Galleria Plaza, George Town. Grand Cayman; Cayman Islands

The practice will be lead at the studio (to avoid the mosquitos) Before the end of the class we will walk to the closest beach to perform a release ritual, if the weather allow us 🙂

This ritual is going to help you release the past and welcome in the new. It is going to balance your energy levels and make you an open channel so the lunar energy can shine down on you in all the right places.

What do you need to bring?

  • Pen & paper
  • Your Yoga Mat, if you have one, otherwise the studio can provide some.
  • Your Water bottle

All the donations will go to Caymans ARK – Acts of Random Kindness

Huge thanks to Quinntessential Movement for donated the studio for the class.

Click HERE to check the event on facebook

Hope to see you there.

Namaste,

Renée

Share the Love

Today, February 14th or yesterday, (because I don’t know when you are reading this), is known as the famous “Valentine’s Day”, the lover’s day o maybe the friendship’s day.

It’s the day when people show their affection for another person or people by sending cards, gifts, flowers or chocolates with messages of love.

But..

Do you know how did it started?

I didn’t, so I did some research and it comes to be the day gets its name from a famous saint:

“Saint Valentine”

There are several stories of who he was.

Here I will share one with you

“The popular belief about St Valentine is that he was a priest from Rome in the third century AD.

The Emperor at the time; Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage because he thought married men were bad soldiers.

Valentine felt this was unfair, so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret. 
When Claudius found out, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death.
There, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and when he was taken to be killed on 14 February he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine”.

BBC
The oldest known Valentine’s message written in English; dated in 1477

“While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270–others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

It’s thought that as part of the celebrations, boys drew names of girls from a box. They’d be boyfriend and girlfriend during the festival and sometimes they’d get married

Gradually, St Valentine’s name started to be used by people to express their feelings to those they loved.

History.com

Pretty cool information, right?

But I know, there is lots of times when this can be use as a commercial day for the bussines, and… I get it, it can be socially hard if you are single in these days but that is the beauty of the modern world, you don’t have to have a couple to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Myself, I am not a person who ever consider this day as a day to celebrate.

But you know what?

I think if you can use the excuse of this day to help someone else to feel better, it is absolutely worth it.

And you can share the love in so many different way. It docent have to be only to a boyfriend or girlfriend, or love-partner or a date.

Investing in self- love and self-growing is so important:

  • A massage
  • A good book
  • A good dinner
  • A good wine
  • Time with friends
  • That training or course you always wanted to do

And these are only options but let’s not forget there are others who might not have the same luck as us.

So, why not investing your time in volunteers activities? This is such a great way to share the love.

Since 2018 part of my giving back to community in Cayman Islands is sharing the love of teaching yoga to everyone and to anyone.

I have been organising and sharing the yoga love with classes by donation, all going to a non-profit organisation called:

Cayman’s Act of Random Kindness, 

This organisation endeavours to be a friend to people in unique circumstances of crisis; to demonstrate kindness through loving act’s of service. ARK is a friend to strangers and approaches humanity with great love and compassion -without judgment. ‘Paying it forward’ results in the nurturing and inspiration of the human spirit, changing lives one life at a time. As a chain reaction the ripple of kindness is unending

I chose the full moon for these classes, as a way of bringing the community closer to each other so I can share my knowledge about Chandra Namaskar most commonly known as Moon Salutation.And hopefully be able to provide some new information to the ones who approach these practice with good intentions.

Also have been inviting another wonderful instructor Maree, to join me in the teaching. She is the one in charge of the introspective and meditative part of the class.

February 2019 won’t be the exception and its full moon is commonly known as the Full Snow Moon in Native American cultures.

These ancient tribes named this moon after the way trees cracked in the cold, or how people had to sit shoulder to shoulder around the fire for warmth. Even the Celts called it the Moon of Ice.

But for the one who lives in Cayman Islands this is not something we have to worry about. We have the privilege to enjoy the sun and beach most of the time, right?

That is why Maree & I will be teaching an outdoor Yoga Class by donations!

First we will do a warm up, I will explain how to practice Chandra Namaskar and we will flow with it. On the second part Maree will be a guiding you in a delightful Meditation.

Come ready to let go what is not longer serving you

February 19th, 2019 from 6 to 7pm.

The location is at public beach’s grass patch next to the playground, next to calicos.

As I mention before all the donation will go to Caymans ARK – Acts of Random Kindness 

Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.
Maybe some mosquito spray and a blanket for the meditation part 😉

Even in the Caribbean can gets chilli

Here is the link of the event

Be part, share the love and help us spread the word with your friends or anyone you think will like to do the practice.

Thank you

Namaste..

Full Moon the Art of Letting Go

Everything is changing in ways we have never imagined to be.

Crazy times, dont you think so?!

A couple of weeks ago we were living in a world where everything was possible, moving fast, living a life full of schedules, updates, work etc.

It felt like the day never had enough hours

And now… everything stopped.

Time is still and most of us don’t know what to do with this gift

How do you feel about it?

I know I need it and I am taking complete advantage of having so much time to go back to my personal projects, to move slow and reflect.

I am a fan of the Moon, I love following the energy that brings us; during new moon new projects to develop, during full moon time to do some cleansing, reflect and let go what is no longer serving us

Every Full moon invites us to press the pause bottom, slow down, analyze our actions and do some introspection.

Are you really leaving the life you want to live in?

What have you achieved?

What do you want to change?

What do you need to let go?

Persons, situations, feelings, regrets, experiences

Like that closet in the house that nobody wants to clean because is full of sh#t.

It might be the way you feel inside

Take the time to do an internal cleaning, in order to achieved whatever it is that you want to achieved you need to let go what no longer is serving you.

Forgive yourself and others.

Cultivate compassion.

Create space for the new to come

What is Chandra Namaskar?

Before getting into our moon salutation practice let’s review a few aspects about the Chandra Namaskar and the difference with Surya Namaskar:

“The moon as not light of its own but reflects the light of the sun”

  • The moon salutation practice is a reflection of the sun salutation practice. The power of the opposites.
  • Chandra Namaskar is best to practice at night channelizing the moon energy preparing the body and the mind for a restful night’s sleep.
  • Surya Namaskar is best to practice in the morning when the sun is rising, channelizing the sun’s energy for the day to come.
  • Moon Salutations are associated with the yin and the feminine, a receptive, meditative, cooling practice
  • Sun Salutations are said to be the Yan and the masculine, an energizing and awakening practice, related to building heat.

Although sun and moon salutation sequences embrace different qualities, they complement each other perfectly. To create equilibrium in our yoga practice and in our life is important that we recognize the qualities and benefits on each side of the spectrum so that we can find balance and unity between them.

How to practice Chandra Namaskar?

As there is deferents variations of the sun salutations, there are few options of the moon salutations flow.

Here I will share the one I include in my practice :

Is better to place your yoga mat sideways facing the widest part of your mat because you will be flowing from left to right and right to left.

Feel free to adapt or modify the postures to suits your needs and props if you prefer to do so

Begin in Tadasana, standing up at the right edge of the mat you will be starting with your left side. Remember our left side represent our moon energy our softer more contemplative side.

Urdhva Hastasana or Talasala

Translate to “Raised hands pose” or the “Palm tree pose”

Urdhva=raised

Hasta=hand

Tala=palm tree

Asana=posture

Inhale and rise your arms, interlace your fingers, leaving your index finger and thumb extended. Press the feet into the floor and reach the fingers and crown up while relaxing the shoulders down and back.

Standing Crescent Pose

From Urdhva Hastasana exhale and press the right hip out to the side, extending over to the left. Keep the feet grounded and the legs and buttocks engaged. Reach up and out through the fingers and crown.

Inhale and press into the feet as you reach the fingers back up towards the ceiling.

Repeat on other side.

Utkata Konasana or Goddess Pose

Exhale taking a wide step with your left foot to the mat with the feet 3 feet apart and lower into a squat while keeping your knees in line with your ankles. Bend the elbows at shoulder height and turn the palms facing each other.

Utthita Tadasana or 5 Pointed Star

Inhale pressing your weight into the feet, pull up the knee caps and squeeze the thighs, tuck the tailbone, and feel the legs strong and solid, rooted into the floor. Extend your arms reaching out through the fingertips, trying to touch the side walls. Relax the shoulders down and back, gently opening the chest towards the front of the room.

Exhale as you are transitioning to the next posture

Utthita Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose

Turn the left foot with the toes facing the the left edge of the mat and your right foot 90 degree with the toes Ponting to the front, the wider part of the mat. Picture a line connecting your left heel and your arm f your right foot. Extend your left arm toward your left side like if you wanted to reach the wall and lower into to grab your big toe, ankle or chin with your palm facing forward.

Inhale and extend your right arm into the sky bringing the arms into one straight line with the shoulders stacked on top of each other. Press the left hip forward and the right hip back.

Face up to your top hand if that is feels ok for your neck otherwise relax your neck and face to your lower hand.

Parsvottanasana, Pyramid Pose or Intense Side Stretch

parsva = side, flank
ut = intense
tan = to stretch or extend.

Exhale and rotate your torso to the left, squaring the front of your pelvis as much as possible with the edge of your mat. As the right hip point turns forward, press the head of the right femur back to ground the back heel. Press your outer thighs inward, as if squeezing a block between your thighs.

Lean the torso forward from the groins over the left leg. Stop when the torso is parallel to the floor. Firm your scapulas against your back, lengthen your coccyx toward the floor, and arch your upper torso back slightly.

Press your fingertips to the floor on either side of the left foot. If it isn’t possible for you to touch the floor, support your hands on a pair of blocks or the seat of a folding chair. Eventually the long front torso will rest down on the thigh

Virabhadrasana A,

Facing the same side you already are, bend the front knee over ankle, create more distance between your feet if needed, tuck the back toes under and straighten the back leg keeping your hips square facing your front foot, come into a lunge positions inhale extending your arms over head. Maybe looking uptimes to the moon if your back allows it.

Option: rest the back knee on the floor, with a pillow or folding the side of the mat if it feel uncomfortable.

Skandasana or Forward Facing Side Lunge

Exhale bring both hands down into the grown and flow facing the wider side of the mat

With your left knee bend let the hips sink down towards the left heel but keeping your left foot down on the ground and your right leg straight, pressing out through the right heel, flex your right toes to the sky.

Inhale and rise your right hand gazing your eyes towards it

Option: if this is not possible adapt it into a side angle pose

Malasana or Garland Pose

Move like water into your yogi squat. Keep your heels on the floor if you can; otherwise, support them on a folded mat or a block.

Press your elbows against your inner knees, bringing your palms to together in Anjali Mudra also known as prayer hands and resist the knees into the elbows. This will help lengthen your front torso.

Stop here for 3 inhalation and exhalations if you want

Keep moving like water no we will reverse the order of the postures in your right side.

Skandasana or Forward Facing Side Lunge

With your right knee bend.

Lunge over your right foot

Facing your right side of the mat

Parsvottanasana, Pyramid Pose or Intense Side Stretch

Falling forward toward your right knee

Utthita Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose

Facing your hip to the wider part of the mat. Right hand down and left arm up to the sky.

Utthita Tadasana or 5 Pointed Star

Utkata Konasana or Goddess Pose

Standing Crescent Pose

Bring your body weigh into your right side so you can step your left foot next to the right one at the right edge of the mat

Urdhva Hastasana or Talasala

This is a full cycle.

This is a moving meditation.

You can repeat this as many times as you want until you can feel yourself flowing like water from one posture into another.

If you set any intentions or releasing at the beginning of your practice try to think on these during you all practice.

I am sharing this because I absolutely love it and enjoy it.

Things to remember:

  • Be always careful.
  • Do any modifications in the postures to suits your need.
  • Is always better to practice with a certified instructor if you are not sure of what are you doing.

“Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?” 

Mary Manin Morrissey

SHARE THE JOY,HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

NAMASTE

Renée

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October’s Full Moon 2018

As I mention in another post I am incredibly curious about the moon and it affects our states of mind and emotions. I truly believe the moon has an incredible power on us living beings.

So if you are curious about the moon as me you are in the right place

First I would like to share here are some interesting facts about October’s full moon:

“Is commonly called the Hunter’s Moon, harkening back to European and Native American traditions where hunters would use the light of the full moon to track down their prey and stock up for the coming winter.

Contrary to popular belief, the Hunter’s Moon isn’t actually bigger or brighter than usual. It simply rises earlier, soon after sunset, which would give hunters plenty of bright moonlight to hunt by during the early evenings. To Neo Pagans, however, the Hunter’s Moon is known by a far more morbid name – the Blood Moon.

Humans through the ages have always found autumn’s full moons to be creepy, and not without good reason. There’s a reason why English folks in the Middle Ages called October’s full moon the Blood Moon, and it’s the exact same reason why even Halloween imagery today often features a large, low-hanging moon with an eerie reddish glow. The Hunter’s Moon rises early in the evening, which means that you are more likely to see it near the horizon.

Exactly today October 24, 2018 you will see the moon rising at 9:45am PDT

12:45pm EDT and 16:45 UT

When you observe the moon while it’s near the horizon, it gives off the illusion of being bigger while it’s in fact the same size. In addition, observing the moon at the horizon makes it look redder. This is because you’re seeing it through a thicker atmosphere, which scatters more blue light and lets more red light pass through to reach your eyes”.

Going back to the yoga approach of this topic, scientific explanations aside, the Hunter’s Moon or Blood Moon still holds an undeniable aura of mystique and power.

You must have heard about the Surya namaskar or Sun Salutation, but not many people know about the other side of it:

Chandra Namaskar or the Moon Salutation.

Is a sequence which reveres and honours the energy of the moon.

The name is derived from the Sanskrit, chandra, meaning “moon,” and “namaskara,” meaning “salutation.” Although they are less well known than the  practice, they complement it perfectly, as they embrace the opposite, interconnected energy. 

While surya namaskar’s 12 postures, chandra namaskar has 14 positions correlating to the lunar phases. The moon salutation has the opposite effect on your body than the surya salutation; it is meant to calm your body, preparing you for a long and restful night’s sleep.

Chandra Namaskara is considered more yin in nature than the intrinsically yang Surya Namaskara. As such, Chandra Namaskar  is a more cooling, meditative sequence of postures, which is ideally to be practiced in the evening. 

The sequence of asanas for Chandra Namaskara has many variations, but will often involve moving to the right and left, and facing the long edge of the mat.  Side stretches and circular movements of the sequence can be considered to represent the phases of the moon as it waxes and wanes.

moon-salute

In practicing Chandra Namaskara, it is helpful to take the focus inward and to reflect on the meaning and significance of the moon and its energy for earth and oneself. . The practice can then be one of gratitude for the moon and all it offers.

Is recommended to have pen and paper close by so you can journal any thoughts or ideas that might present during your practice.

Chandra Namaskar practice is also beneficial for:

  • Strengthening all major muscle groups
  • Improving flexibility
  • Calming the mind
  • Grounding and focusing the body and mind

Practicing Chandra Namaskara is probably a relatively recent yogic practice, perhaps dating to the late 20th century, but practices of worshipping the moon are undoubtedly ancient. The moon was traditionally regarded in certain yogic texts as the source of immortality

From the Tarot perspective today Full Moon is in Taurus:

Time to release to make peace

I am not going to dive deep into it because I am a beginner in this aspect if you wan to know more about it there is tons of information online and books as well.

Hope the information helps, go and get your comfy clothes and start including this into your own practice, if you are not doing it already. 

Until next time, 

Renée

“One thing is for sure, a transformation is happening so surrender yourself to the flow of change that is taking you to the next level of growth for you. This Taurus Full Moon has us releasing excess emotions to make room for more peace”

Britney Carmichael.