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I began attuning myself a bit of more to the moon cycles and the lunar patterns once I began to know that what I would like to give attention to in my life throughout the recent Moon is different than throughout the full Moon.

The brand new Moon is a reminder to only pause and assess and never at all times push forward. I believe of the brand new Moon as a chance to examine in with my intentions, much like how a variety of us might use the brand new yr. But unless I’m pulled out of my day-to-day hustle and reminded to step back, I don’t. So it’s been really powerful for me to set a calendar notification for that three-day period of the brand new Moon and put aside a while every month to be quite a bit less focused on my day-to-day routine and quite a bit more intent on checking in with myself.

I prefer to take the time to ask, how am I doing? What do I would like? I often draw Yin Yoga into the brand new Moon since it releases tension from the physical body and makes it quite a bit easier to tune into the mental and emotional body. It helps me be a bit of calmer, a bit of more silent, and higher capable of explore the beliefs I haven’t really acknowledged or feelings that I haven’t attended to in far too long. It’s a time to do less typically and provides myself a pause in order that I can then return to my regular life and be more focused and inventive.

Yin Yoga Practice to Help You Slow Down Throughout the Recent Moon

The phases of the moon allow us to reflect and attune to the phases of our lives. Connecting to this monthly cycle with yoga practices calls up the inherent wisdom of nature that’s inside us.

The brand new Moon is the start of every thing, for every thing begins at midnight. It gives us the gorgeous gift of starting fresh every month. That is probably the most powerful time to dream, set intentions, visualize, and practice self-care.

As we release physical tension from our bodies, it becomes easier to release mental and emotional tension as well. Yin Yoga is a passive practice where we give attention to the fascia and deep connective tissues. Attempt to chill out your muscles as you hold the stretches for 3 to five minutes on all sides. Remember to not push or force yourself into the pose—less is more.

I like to recommend practicing the next sequence at night with only a few distractions. If the weather permits, practice outdoors. Turn your phone off, grab your journal, light a couple of candles, and get focused. Throughout your practice, tune in to your innermost desires and spot what thoughts and emotions come up for you. The sequence is suitable for all levels of yoga students.

Supported Fish Pose

Lie back on two blocks in order that they support your head and upper back, right between your shoulder blades. The blocks could be on their lowest or middle level, whichever one is most comfortable to you. Loosen up your arms by your sides and extend your legs out. Feel your rib cage expand with every breath you are taking and hook up with your heart space. Hold for 3 to 5minutes before coming out of the pose slowly and mindfully.

Comfortable Baby Pose

Move your blocks off to the side and lie back in your mat. Draw your knees in toward your shoulders and press your tailbone into the ground. Stay here or progress into the total version of the pose by stacking your ankles over your knees and holding on to your big toes. Hold for 3 to five minutes.

(Photo: Jessica Hodgson)

Reclined Swan Pose

Bring your feet flat to the ground along with your knees bent. Cross your right ankle excessive of your left thigh and flex your right foot. Thread your arms through your legs to grab the back of your left thigh or the front of your left shin. Draw your left thigh in toward your chest to stretch into your right hip. Hold the pose for 3 to five minutes before repeating on the second side.

(Photo: Jessica Hodgson)

Supported Bridge Pose

Place your feet flat on the ground along with your knees bent and grab considered one of your blocks. Lift your hips up and slide the block under your seat. Your block could be on the bottom or middle level, whichever one is most comfortable for you. Be sure your block is under your tailbone reasonably than your lower back. Loosen up your arms by your sides and decide to either keep your knees bent or extend your legs straight for a deeper stretch. Hold for 3 to five minutes.

(Photo: Jessica Hodgson)

Waterfall Pose

If you happen to had your legs prolonged, slowly walk your feet back so that they are flat on the ground. Place your block on its lowest level and lift your legs up toward the sky. Keep your arms by your sides or extend them up over- head for a delicate stretch in your upper body. Stay on this inversion for 3 to five minutes before easing out.

(Photo: Jessica Hodgson)

Reclining Twist

Bring your feet back to the ground and move your block out to the side. Open your arms right into a cactus shape along with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Lift your hips up and move them a couple of inches to the correct before lowering your knees and thighs over to the left. Keep your head neutral or turn it to look over your right shoulder for a deeper twist. Hold for 3 to five minutes before repeating on the second side.

(Photo: Jessica Hodgson)

Corpse Pose

Extend your legs out one by one, bringing your feet toward the corners of your mat. Soften your shoulders away out of your ears as you chill out your arms by your sides along with your palms facing up. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, holding the pose for five minutes or longer.

Journaling Prompts

While you’re able to close your practice, you would possibly grab a journal and write down any insights out of your experience. You too can use the next prompts to guide your thoughts:

What’s my intention for this recent moon?

What’s one word that describes how I would like to feel?

What is vital to me at once?

What am I needing more of in my life?

The next is excerpted from Yr of Yoga, published by Mandala Publishing. Copyright © 2022 by Kassandra Reinhardt; Photo copyright © 2022 by Jessica Hodgson.

RELATED: 6 Recent Moon Journal Prompts to Embrace Your Potential

About Our Contributor

Kassandra Reinhardt is an Ottawa-based Yin Yoga and vinyasa yoga instructor, YouTuber, creator, and the face behind Yoga with Kassandra. She is on a mission to assist others feel great with yoga. One among the primary yoga instructors to embrace online teaching, Kassandra’s YouTube channel has grown to greater than 2.1 million subscribers and has over 230 million views. Kassandra has truly provided accessibility to yoga and he or she is expanding her expertise further with the recent release of her guided yoga journal, My Yoga Journey: A Guided Journal, and her each day affirmation card deck, I Radiate Joy.