There are two important moon days in the ashtanga yoga world- new moon and full moon. Both of these days are considered auspicious and offer a time for rest and introspection. If you’re an ashtanga yoga practitioner, you might be wondering what the moon days are in 2023. Here’s a list of the ashtanga moon days for the year!
Ashtanga Moon Days 2023
| JANUARY | |
| Friday, January 6 | Full Moon |
| Saturday, January 21 | New Moon |
| FEBRUARY | |
| Sunday, February 5 | Full Moon |
| Monday, February 19 | New Moon |
| MARCH | |
| Tuesday, March 7 | Full Moon |
| Tuesday, March 21 | New Moon |
| APRIL | |
| Wednesday, April 5 | Full Moon |
| Wednesday, April 19 | New Moon |
| MAY | |
| Friday, May 5 | Full Moon |
| Friday, May 19 | New Moon |
| JUNE | |
| Saturday, June 3 | Full Moon |
| Saturday, June 17 | New Moon |
| JULY | |
| Monday, July 3 | Full Moon |
| Monday, July 17 | New Moon |
| AUGUST | |
| Tuesday, August 1 | Full Moon |
| Wednesday, August 16 | New Moon |
| Wednesday, August 30 | Full Moon |
| SEPTEMBER | |
| Thursday, September 14 | New Moon |
| Friday, September 29 | Full Moon |
| OCTOBER | |
| Saturday, October 14 | New Moon |
| Saturday, October 28 | Full Moon |
| NOVEMBER | |
| Monday, November 13 | New Moon |
| Monday, November 27 | Full Moon |
| DECEMBER | |
| Tuesday, December 12 | New Moon |
| Tuesday, December 26 | Full Moon |
(As a side note, these dates are taken from The Griffith Observatory).
What are Ashtanga moon days and why do they occur every month
Ashtanga new and full moon days occur every month on the new moon and full moon. On these days, practitioners of Ashtanga yoga refrain from practicing asanas (yoga poses) and instead focus on meditation, pranayama (breath work), and mudras (hand gestures). The reason for this is that it is believed that the body is more susceptible to injury during these times, as the pull of the moon’s gravitational pull is thought to increase.
In addition, it is believed that the energy of the sun and moon are in alignment during these times, making it easier to connect with your higher self. As a result, taking a break from physical exertion on Ashtanga moon days can help you to reconnect with your mind, body, and spirit.
Why is Ashtanga yoga not practiced on moon days?
Ashtanga yoga is a type of Hatha yoga that emphasizes the use of breath and movement to achieve mindfulness and physical purification. One of the key principles of Ashtanga yoga is that practice should be done consistently, without interruption. This can be a challenge for practitioners, as life inevitably has its ups and downs. However, Ashtanga yoga has built-in breaks in the form of moon days.
Moon days are based on the lunar cycle, and occur approximately every 28 days. On moon days, practitioners are encouraged to take a break from their regular practice.
The rationale behind this is that moon energy corresponds to perhaps less tranquility of the mind, making it difficult to focus on the breath and achieve a state of mindfulness.
In addition, full moon energy can make it easy to overdo it during practice, leading to injury.
And finally, according to Indian astrological belief, new and full moon and considered auspicious days. And so in the ashtanga yoga tradition, observing moon days is a way to honor the natural cycles.
For more information, check out my article: The 3 Reasons we don’t Practice on Ashtanga Moon Days
What happens if you do yoga on full moon day?
Moon days occur every 28 days and are considered to be a time of rest. The gravitational pull of the moon can make it more difficult to balance, and the risk of injury is increased. For these reasons, Ashtanga yoga is not practiced on moon days. However, other types of yoga, such as yin yoga or restorative yoga, can be performed on moon days. These types of yoga are less physically demanding and can help to promote relaxation and restoration.
I once did an experiment and recorded how I felt practicing ashtanga yoga and to see if the moon energy corresponds to changes in my practice.
Interetsingly, during full moon I felt an upward moving force and I could feel energetic in my practice. On the other hand, during new moon I felt the new moon energy have a downward moving force, almost like a rooting force. And so for me at least, during new moon I prefer to feel calm with more grounding practicing like yin yoga or restorative yoga.
How can you use moon days to your advantage in your yoga practice?
Moon days are an important part of the yoga practice. They offer a time to rest and reflect on your practice. It is a time to focus on the breath and connect with the inner self.
Moon days can be used to your advantage in many ways. You can use them to focus on your breath work and meditation. You can use them to connect with your higher self and develop your personal yoga practice. You can use them to release negative energy and cultivate positive energy.
Moon days are a powerful tool that can be used to improve your yoga practice. When used correctly, they can help you to achieve greater peace, balance, and harmony in your life.
What are some of the benefits of following the moon cycle
Following the moon cycle can bring a number of benefits into your life. One of the most obvious benefits is that it can help to regulate your sleep patterns. By going to bed and waking up according to the phases of the moon, you can ensure that you are getting the most out of your sleep. Moreover, following the moon cycle can also help to boost your energy levels and mood.
As the moon waxes and wanes, so too do our own energy levels. By attuning ourselves to these fluctuations, we can ensure that we are always operating at our peak. Finally, following the moon cycle can also help to improve our connection to nature. In a fast-paced and technology-driven world, it can be easy to forget that we are part of a larger ecosystem.
By following moon cycles, we are reminded of our place in the natural world and can attune ourselves to its rhythms. Consequently, it can also have a profound impact on our physical and psychological wellbeing.
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