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Do you ever feel tired when coming home in the evening after a long busy day ? And even if you are really exhausted you don’t feel calm and relieved, and your nights are often restless ? Your’re still tired because your sleep is not reparative at all. You really want to find a solution …
Do you know that Yoga, and especially Moon salutation, can offer you the secret of the change you are looking for ? Moon Salutation, also called Chandra Namaskar, is part of the Lunar energy yoga. Let’s see together the benefits of the Full Moon Yoga and the different postures of this healing force which is going to restore your energy and … change your life !
What is Moon Salutation and what are its benefits ?
Similarities to Sun Salutation
First appearing in 1969 Moon salutation was at first very similar to its cousin, the Sun. Over the time they started to differ. If you have ever practised yoga or if you do regularly, you have probably heard about Sun salutation.
This is an energizing sequence which is very useful to start your sessions. The main problem with Sun salutation is that it requires a lot of energy and strength unlike Moon salutation (or Chandra Namaskar). This one has a much more calming and softer logic.
Best practises
If the sun is the symbol of energy and of awakening, the Moon helps us to recharge our batteries and release us from our daily stress. It is therefore ideal to practice this salutation at the end of the day because it allows you to sofly involve your whole body and to focus on your balance.
You can practice it during the full Moon or during a new Moon but also in all your month sessions (preferably the ones at the end of the day) to prepare yourself for sleep as well as possible.
Here is a step-by-step Moon Salutation practice guide
Even if you can find many different practises we are going to introduce you today to the most usual one, which includes the posture of the Goddess (Utkata Konasana). This Moon salutation is very soft and smooth and it makes it enjoyable to practice thanks to the numerous hips openings which are movements that reconnects you with the feminine energy.
Now let’s see all the stages of Chankra Namaskar to work better your calm side, your Yin. To begin with, stand on one side of your mat, with your legs hip-width apart.
Take time to calm your mind because Moon salutaion has to be a moment of pleasure, enjoy each posture as much as possible without worrying about the time you spent between each of them.
1. The Salutation to the Sky : Urdha Hastasana
Raise your arms in a circle from the side and bring your hands together above your head.
2. The Crescent Moon : Indulasana
Exhale and bend your body from your pelvis to the right. Do the same with the higher part of your body only.
3. The Goddess : Utkata Konasana
Keeping your toes pointing out, separate your feet twice to the width of your shoulders, bend your knees to reach a squat position. Bend your arms to 90 degrees at your elbows, stretching your fingers to the sky.
4. The Triangle : Trikonasana
Turn both feet to the right and bend your elbows so that your arms are perfectly parallel to the floor. Exhale and bend your body towards the right leg. With your hand grab the right ankle or calf and stretch your left arm to the sky. Inhale and turn the chest to the sky.
5. The Pyramid : Parsvottasana
Draw a semicircle with your right arm to bring it to your left arm so that you put your hands on each side of your left leg. Bring your right hip to the front of the mat. Your right heel slightly comes off. Turn to the front of the mat. Inhale, look towards the horizon and exhale, release the forehead to your stretched left leg. Both hands come to the ground on each side of your left leg.
6. The Lunge : Anjaneyasana
Get into a lunge position using your right leg as a support and your right foot flat on the floor. Put your left leg back and lift your heel off.
7. Hips opening : Skandasana
While exhaling, place your hands on the side of your right great toe. Once your have reached this position, turn your right foot and your entire body to the all the length of the mat, stretching your left leg and your toes to the ceiling.
8. The Goddess : Utkata Konasana
Get into this squat position, legs apart, to mark the half of the cycle.
You have completed the first part of the Moon salutation. You just have to do the different positions again, changing direction in order to complete the cycle and reach a state of calm and fullfilment.
It’s your turn
Now that you know everything, practice Moon salutation in your next sessions. Let us know how you feel, if you like the sequence or if you practice it regularly ! Even if this salutation is less famous, it’s benefic and interetsting anyway. Don’t you think so ?
