Moon energy in yoga

In yoga, lunar energy is viewed as a feminine energy that connects us to our intuition and creativity. Lunar cycles play an important role in practice as they help us regulate our energies and make us more aware. In general, lunar energy is perceived as relaxing, calming and renewing . Yoga exercises such as Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutation) and Yin Yoga are specifically designed to promote lunar energy and relax our body and mind.

Hatha yoga forms the basis of body-oriented yoga practice and has now been further developed and expanded into various styles. Hatha yoga looks at the human being as a whole and refers not only to the physical body and its health, but also to the emotional and mental body in order to bring body and mind into harmony, into a unity. You can experience Hatha yoga in a way that takes you beyond certain limits, but fundamentally it is a physical preparation - a preparation of the body for a higher level.

Uniting polarities - an interplay of energies

Hatha yoga asanas are intended to create balance in the body, because through yoga practice we develop a balance of strength and flexibility, effort and dedication with every posture.

However, Hatha yoga has another very exciting meaning: the union of solar and lunar energy in the human body.
“Ha” stands for solar energy (Pingala Nadi) and “Tha” stands for lunar energy (Ida Nadi). The Nadis are subtle energy channels in which prana (life energy) flows. In addition to the main energy channel, the Sushumna along the spine, there are Pingala and Ida Nadi through which we can balance the solar and lunar energy in the body. The energy of the sun is an activating, driving & warming energy. We cultivate this, for example, in the sun salutation, but since today we are talking about the energy of the moon, we will take a closer look at it and explore which practices support the lunar energy in the human body.

The qualities of lunar energy - letting go, surrender, intuition

Hatha yoga is a yogic way of balancing the energies of the sun and moon so that the body is in balance and one feels peace and harmony. The lunar energy in the body represents withdrawal, relaxation, letting go, receiving and intuition. With the lunar energy we turn inward, feel, perceive and reflect on what is important for our body and our mind now. The gentle lunar energy is a cooler, balancing and flowing energy.

Phases of effort and activity (solar energy) are always followed by phases of relaxation and silence (moon). We need this interplay of energies to stay in balance. For example, the sun's energy affects the sympathetic nervous system, while the moon's energy affects the parasympathetic nervous system.

Balance and harmony for body and mind

Cultivating lunar energy in the body system provides balance, relaxation and inner peace.

These yoga exercises activate the lunar energy within:

Chandra Bheda - the lunar breathing

Directions:
Find a sitting position that is comfortable for you and straighten your spine. Bend the index and middle fingers of your right hand and keep your thumb and ring fingers slightly straighter. Close your right nostril with your right thumb and breathe in through your left nostril for about 4 seconds. Hold your breath for about 4 seconds. To do this, close both nostrils with your thumb and ring finger
keep the left nostril closed. Breathe out through your right nostril for about 8 seconds.

Repeat this cycle 5-8 times in the evening or whenever you feel like you're having a hard time getting proper rest.
Additional tip: Feel free to visualize that with every inhale silver light flows into your body and with every exhale you let all physical and mental tensions flow away.

Ardha Chandrasana (Crescent Moon): This asana helps activate and strengthen the energy of the moon in the body. It also promotes flexibility and balance.

Shashankasana (Rabbit Pose): Hare Pose calms the nervous system and helps center the energy of the moon in the spine, calming the mind and reducing stress.

Yin Yoga: Yin Yoga leads to deep relaxation and gently opens the body by remaining in the postures for a longer period of time.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): Sarvangasana supports the body in regeneration and provides a feeling of wholeness.

Meditation: Silent meditation, breathing meditation or visualizations

In summary, lunar energy plays an important role in yoga. It can help us strengthen our inner peace and serenity and connect with our inner self. Through special yoga exercises and breathing techniques we can activate the lunar energy within us and use it for our spiritual development. So it's worth looking into this topic more intensively and integrating the power of the moon into our lives.