The magical ball of glowing light, our mother moon, will be fully illuminated on May 21.
The sun and moon’s opposition makes for a sacred balance with effects that can be felt here on Earth. Our moon, being the closest celestial body to Earth, has grandiose effects on all living things on our planet. The full moon is a time to nurture, support, and create.
During this time a shift of energy occurs as the moon brings light among the darkness. Eye-opening discoveries surface from within and emotions are heightened as our lunar feminine energy is sparked.
The full moon symbolizes fulfillment, wholeness, and closure. Think back to the intentions that were set earlier this month during the new moon and note if they have actualized. Perhaps this month’s full moon brings one phase of life to an end as another begins.
As the ocean’s high tide washes over the sand it rinses the beach of debris. This same energy bathes the human soul of unneeded holds, blockages, and even emotional distress. The full moon sequence below will help to cleanse and release unneeded stress. Allow our mother moon in her full illuminated state to awaken the soul and embrace the divine power within.
Bonus: Practice to this Full Moon Yoga Playlist!
Full Moon Yoga Sequence
Short Meditation :: Dhyana
Sukhasana :: Easy Pose
Sit cross-legged. Gently close the eyes and breathe here for 1–2 minutes before we begin. Ground down through the sitting bones as the spine lengthens and palms rest lightly on the thighs or knees for grounding energy. Encourage full body breaths, filling the belly, then the lungs. Notice the slight pause at the top of the inhale. Slowly exhale as you empty the lungs then belly.
Modification :: Legs extended out straight and you can lean against a wall to assist with good posture.
Pranayama :: Breath Work
Affirmation :: “I breathe in the positive and I exhale the negative.”
Bring your hands to rest on your knees or thighs with Gyan Mudra. Remain here for a few minutes and breathe. Allow the fluctuations of the mind to settle before you begin your practice.
Sankalpa :: Set an Intention
Take a few breaths to set an intention for your practice. This word, idea, or mantra will help to maintain focus throughout the flow. Since the full moon is upon us, perhaps dedicate your practice to completing a project, releasing unwanted tension or stress, or finding closure.
Full Moon Flow
Affirmation :: “I move fluidly with no expectations. I am perfect exactly as I am.”
Tadasana :: Mountain Pose
Stand tall with feet hips width distance apart. Absorb the grounding energy of the Earth as the crown of the head reaches up towards to mother moon. Take a few slow deep breaths.
Urdhva Hastasana + Ardha Chandrasana:: Upward Half Moon Bend
Inhale the arms out and up. Palms touch at the top of the inhale. Keeping the palms pressing together, exhale to reach the arms to the right, lengthening the left side. Stay grounded equally in both feet. Remember to keep the palms pressing together and heart rotating up towards the sky.
Uttanasana :: Forward Fold
Slowly exhale as you bow forward with a flat back. Arms can swan-dive down, or bring hands through third eye, heart, and down to the Earth. Keep a soft bend in the knees and even weight in both feet. Head hangs heavy here.
Ardha Uttansana :: Half Lift
Inhale to peel the chest off the thighs, reaching the heart forward and shoulders gently pulling away from the ears. Keep the belly button actively moving towards the spine.
Kumbhakasana :: Plank Pose
Exhale to plant the palms on the mat. Step back and hold plank for one full inhalation.
Chaturanga Dandasana :: Four Limb Staff Pose
Inhale and roll the spine forward to a Plank position. Exhale and bend elbows straight back to lower halfway (like a tricep push-up). Inhale as you scoop the chest through the arms, untuck the toes, press into the tops of the feet and widen across the chest. Exhale to Downward Facing Dog.
Modification : Inhale and roll the spine forward to Plank. Exhale to lower all the way to the mat (you can drop your knees to the mat to further modify). Inhale to Baby Cobra, reaching the heart forward with little weight in the hands as the thighs, shins, and tops of feet press into the mat.
Adho Mukha Svanasana :: Downward Facing Dog
Exhale to shift back to Downward Facing Dog. Think of this as an upside letter V, keeping equal weight distributed between upper and lower halves of the body. Find grounding energy in the palms, lengthen the arms and spine, as heels actively press down towards the mat.
Anjaneyasana :: Low Lunge
Inhale to lift the right leg, maintain the squaring of the hips and activate the foot and toes. Exhale to bring the knee to the nose and plant the right foot in-between the hands. Left knee and top of the foot roots down on the mat as you inhale, lift the chest with arms lengthening up towards to moon.
Replant the palms on the mat and return to Downward Facing Dog.
Virabhadrasana I :: Warrior One
Inhale to lift the right leg and exhale to plant between hands. Inhale to lift the chest. Back foot is at a 45-degree angle with back leg strong and straight. Front leg is at a 90-degree angle, with knee directly over ankle. Hips square forward wrapping left hip and rib forward. Lengthen the waist, arms, and fingers as you soften the shoulders, jaw, and throat. Take three rounds of breath here.
Virabhadrasana II :: Warrior Two
As you exhale, open the arms wide and align the chest over the pelvis. Fingers and palms spread wise as your drishti (gaze) moves over your front fingers. Make sure your front heel is in line with the arch of the back foot. Three rounds of breath here.
Shanti Virabhadrasana :: Peaceful Warrior
Turn your palms up, take a slow breath to connect with mother moon. Inhale to tip the torso back, bringing the left hand to rest on the left leg and right bicep next to right here. Three breaths here as you lengthen both sides of the waist. Drishti is up towards the sky.
Virabhadrasana II :: Warrior Two
Inhale to return to Warrior Two. Three breaths.
Utthita Tadasana :: Star Pose
Take a breath in as both legs straighten and front foot turns in so both feet are parallel. Arms lift up as energy expands out through all the limbs. Deepen the breath for three rounds.
Utkata Konasana :: Goddess Pose
Exhale as toes slightly turn out and knees bend wide. Take any mudra (hand gesture) of your choice. Spine stays lengthened as you ground down strongly into the mat. Take three rounds of breath to connect with the feminine lunar energy above.
Utthita Tadasana :: Star Pose
Inhale through Star Pose.
Virabhadrasana II :: Warrior Two
Exhale to Warrior Two.
Balasana :: Child’s Pose
Come down onto all fours on the mat (Table Pose). Bring knees the width of the mat and big toes to touch. Sink the hips back and reach the arms towards the front of your mat. Ground down through the palms, shoulders relax down the back, and the heart melts towards the Earth. Take 5–10 cleansing breaths in through the nose and out of the mouth for an audible exhale. Feel the subtle shifts from when you began your practice. Gently come through Table Pose and swing the legs out to one side and roll onto your back.
Repeat on the other side.
Cool Down
Affirmation :: “Energy flows freely through and around me. All is good.”
Supta Baddha Konasana :: Reclining Bound Angle Pose
Come to your back with arms by your side, palms face up. Bring the soles of the feet together to touch as the knees fall out wide. Rest here, open and relaxed. Remain here for 1–2 minutes.
Modification :: Bring blocks or blankets under both knees for added support.
Supta Matsyendrasana :: Supine Twist
Bring the knees together and gently lower to one side. Remember to keep the spine in line, so you may need to move the pelvis a few inches in the opposite direction. Arms can be in cactus or stretched all the way out.
Switch to other side.
Corpse Pose :: Savasana
The best pose for last! Lie all the way onto the back with feet as wide as the mat. Hands by your side with palms facing up to absorb the moon energy. Keep length in the neck and let the eyes close. From the crown of the head to the tips of the toes, relax. Calm the mind and explore your inner wilderness. Stay here for 1–5 minutes or until you feel your practice is complete.
Namaste.
Affirmation :: “I bow to mother moon above and father Earth below. I acknowledge the infinite power above, below, and within.”
