The Controversial Moon Salutations

* Sorry not sorry, you gotta read to the end to find out why..

Moon Salutations - Chandra Namaskar

Werewolves howl at the moon, it's their natural instinct. Maybe we've lost ours (natural instinct that is), it's time to ignite it by unleashing our Wild and working with the moon energy.

Before I begin it only feels right that at this stage we or rather I talk about the true essence of Yoga cos’ you’re all practising it now, yet what does the Sanskrit word even mean?

First let’s talk about how it originated

Yoga originated in ancient India and was first systemised (for want of a better word) by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras around 400 C.E.

The Sanskrit word Yoga means to unite or rather union. This union is referring to the relationship between the body, mind and spirit, as well as between the individual self and universal consciousness. This union created through the practice is working towards neutralising ego-driven thoughts and behaviours moving towards a spiritual awakening.

The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve liberation from suffering and this is achieved through the union of the body, mind and breath as a means of altering energy and therefore shifting consciousness.

In future blogs I will talk more about the true meaning as all of the above mentioned isn’t simply achieved through movement.

Another union that Yoga offers is the union of the earth’s elements that are experienced as types of energies that exist within us. You may like to think of your practice as a means to create an equilibrium in your life and within your body. We observe the power of opposites in yoga through the opposing forces in poses as we move one body part in one direction and then the other in the polar opposite direction.

We have moments within our practice that are more Yin and then others that can be more Yang. Kinda’ like the ebb and flow of life. We also contract our bodies and then expand them in the same way that mother nature does with flowers for example. We put effort in and then we surrender our efforts.

Sun Salutations have a very yang energy that creates heat within the body and Moon Salutations have more of a yin type energy and are a more meditative and cooling salute. Although yin and yang represent seemingly opposite principles (dark and light, day and night, passivity and activity etc), they are utterly interdependent.

Benefits of Moon Salutes

• Work with the lunar energy

• Relaxing

• Inspire Creativity

• Strengthens; the spine, hamstrings, backs of legs and stomach muscle.

• Balances the functioning of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems

• Releases tension, dis-tress, dis-ease, dis-comfort from the hips which is the seat of our emotions.

• Ignites sexual power and energy

• Great for reproductive organs

So there you have it, they ignite (at times dormant) sexual energy within us and whilst some of you may not always see this as a positive thing (who knows) that, that isn't expressed must be understood and so by moving your body in this way, you're creating a better connection and relationship within your own body and only good things can come from that.

So, do you need any more reasons to give em a go?

What to expect during this Cold Moon

December’s full moon is called a Cold Moon and will peak on Thursday 8th December at 4:08am. However, you can start looking for the full Moon just before sunset the night before.

Why it's called a Cold Moon?

Native American people traditionally used the monthly Moons and nature’s corresponding signs as a calendar to track the seasons. December’s Full Moon is most commonly known as the Cold Moon, a Mohawk name conveying the cold conditions of this time of year, when winter truly kicks in. This moon also rises during the longest nights of the year, which is near the December winter solstice and is the last Full Moon of 2022 making it extra special.

It's not unusual during a Full Moon for deep-seated emotions to rise to the surface. The moon controls the tides, therefore it would make sense that the moon controls us humans, considering 60% of our bodies are made up of water.

It's during a Full Moon that major epiphanies take place therefore making it a great time to evoke changes and unveil home truths.

The Full Moon in Gemini

This full moon is in the sign of Gemini, the twins of the zodiac which is a famous sign for its communication, social connection and dual-sided perspectives. With it being in a sign that's all about communication it's a great time to balance out the throat chakra - Vishuddha, located in the throat. This is chakra is all about self-expression and communication.

Use the Power of the Moon!

Have those conversation you’ve been putting off. Journal thoughts, feelings and emotions that are particularly hard to express but also be more patient with others when they are trying to express themselves.

Another way to clear (what at times can be) stagnant energy in this area is to sing or go to the top of a mountain, somewhere high and scream. Let is all out.

The thyroid gland is located in the throat centre and so this is also a time to recalibrate your energy by looking at how you expend it and whether or not the current expenditure is working for you. Are you spending excess energy on people and tasks that are draining you?

Look at different and creative ways at expressing yourself; paint, get crafty but most of all as Madonna says “Express Yourself” that’s the word on the street here when it comes to this Full Moon.

Often those thoughts, feelings and emotions that aren’t communicated in a productive way are taken into the body and can manifest as dis-ease, dis-comfort and dis-stress.

Another thing to consider is that Mars is in retrograde with Gemini. Mars is the planet of conflict, passion and sexuality and has been retrograding through Gemini since October, bringing rise to issues that need confronting and resentments that require review.

Where there's conflict there are lessons and this retrograde is teaching you how to set aside your pride when you communicate. It’s a bit like that Ronan Keating song “You say it best, when you say nothing at all” So it may be time to consider whether or not you need to react or just “Let it go!” another great song choice.

After all has been said and done, get your journal out and what you write you invite so with that in mind write down all that you wish to release, all that you wish to express and all that you wish to call in.

Bathe your crystals in the Moon light and then after they’ve been cleansed, recharge them with a meditation. How do you want your crystals to serve you? Protection, Health, Love - Communication.

And so it is.

If you love all things Wild and Wonderful join my private facebook group - Wild Women UK. Here’s the link WILD

Sun Salutations - The Magical Moving Prayer

Sun Salutations also known in Sanskrit as Surya Namaskara is essentially is a moving prayer that honors the powerful star that is of course the sun.The moving prayer is a series of Yoga postures that are sequenced together and are breath led, meaning that each movement is linked to either an in or an out breath. The two best-known Sun Salutations are classified by the letters A or B. For today I will cover A.

There are an array of benefits and they are as follows:-

• Improves mobility of your entire body

• Just 10 minutes of Sun Salutations can be classified as “high intensity yoga” and is more than enough to raise your heart rate. In other words it’s a cardiovascular workout and all the exercise that you need for healthy heart and lung function.

• Reduces anxiety and stress levels because it taps into the part of the central nervous system that tells the mind and body to rest and digest.

• Improves core and upper body strength

• Increased flexibility and suppleness

• Cleanses the body from toxins due to the internal heat created.

• Improves Heart and Lung function.

Below is a written description on how to do a Sun Salutation A

Tadasana (Standing Mountain Pose)

Directions:

Stand at the top of your mat with your arms down by your sides and facing forward, ready to receive.

Your feet can be together or hip-width apart.

Align your ankles underneath your knees and your shoulders over your hips and knees so your body is symmetrical.

Keep your chin parallel to the floor.

Utthita Hastasana in Tadasana (Arms Extended in Mountain Pose)

Directions:

On an inhale, reach your arms up and in line with your ears.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Directions:

On an exhale, bring your arms down, reaching wide, and fold forward directly over your hips.

Place your hands by your feet or outer shins or on blocks.

Hang your head freely.

Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Bend)

Directions:

On an inhale, reach your chest forward and lift your torso halfway up, with a long spine.

Your fingertips can be at the floor or hands on shins or thigh bones

The exhale and fold

Chaturanga Dandasana (Half-Plank Position) OR supported plank

Directions:

Inhale and step back to Plank Pose and exhale, bend your elbows as your lower halfway into Chaturanga. Alternatively step back and immediately lower the knees to the ground.

Align your wrists under your elbows and bend your elbows halfway, or as low as you can while maintaining a neutral spine, hovering off the floor.

Keep your feet and legs hip-width apart.

Lift your belly and keep the back of your neck long.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog) OR Cobra

Directions:

Inhale, roll over the tops of your toes and through your arms, pressing into the tops of your feet.

Shoulders over wrists and gaze ahead.

Keep your thighs lifting away from the floor as your tailbone reaches toward your heels. Ensure your abs are engaged.

For Cobra pose, rest and press the hips onto the floor and lift your chest off, using your entire back to lift you. Press into your thighs and toes.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) OR Child’s Pose

Directions:

On an exhale, roll back over your toes and lift your thighs and hips up, and straighten your knees. You’re in an upside down V shape. Knees can be bent. Toes and knees point forward. Gaze to the back of your mat.

Make sure your arms are straight and firm.

Hold for 5 breaths.

Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Bend)

Directions:

Inhale step forward to the front of your mat

Reaching your chest forward and lift your torso halfway up, with a long spine.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Directions:

Exhale, bring your arms down and fold forward at your hips.

Place your hands by your feet or outer shins or on blocks.

Hang your head freely.

Utthita Hastasana in Tadasana (Arms Extended in Mountain Pose)

Directions:

Inhale, lift your body, reaching your arms up and in line with your ears.

Tadasana (Standing Mountain Pose)

Directions:

Stand at the top of your mat with your arms by your sides. Your feet can be together or hip-width apart.

Even if you only ever do sun salutations as your yoga practice, this gives you all that you will ever need for a healthy heart and mind. Enjoy this moving prayer.