It’s time to discuss some yogi girl-power for our lovely moon.

The moon is full of female energy. She represents wisdom, intuition and the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.

Her magnetic pull has a powerful effect on the ocean’s tides, and can even alter our own demeanor as our physical bodies are made up of 60% water. If the moon affects the ocean’s tides, you better believe she has influence over us as she floats through her various cycles.

And her influence is very yogic.

The practice of yoga teaches us to let go and make space for growth or something new to enter into our lives.

And the moon is no exception.

During her 29.5 day life-cycle, the moon’s energies invite us to dive into new beginnings and move forward by setting intentions for personal growth. She encourages us to work hard to accomplish what we’ve set out to do, and then let go of what no longer serves us.  

Yep, sounds like yoga philosophy to me.

That is why the various moon phases are worth noting for us to tap into her energy. She can dramatically help guide us through transitions we are working through here on earth.

Are you in a state of transition? Or do you have something that has been pulling on your heart-strings to go do? It may be our sweet friend, the moon, who is lending a helping hand for you to get out there and do your thing.

Here is your guide to the moon phases and how to incorporate your yoga practice to fully take advantage of nature’s influence on us all.

The Moon Phases

 

New Moon

Do you ever get the gut feeling that you need to start something? It could be a new project or a new positive habit like finally establishing a morning routine. Check what phase the moon is in, I bet it’s the new moon working her magnetic energies on you.

The beginning of the lunar cycle, when the moon is between the earth and sun, is our time to turn inward and listen to what our intuition wants us to take on next. It’s the time to set intentions and start something new with a blank slate.

And it can be anything. How empowering is that feeling? You can plant a seed to unlimited possibilities to whatever is calling your name.

  • Action to Take: Take some time by yourself to free write in your journal or meditate. Even take a few minutes over the course of a few days around the new moon to write or note any common themes that pop up in your thoughts or dreams. These are ways to hear what your intuition is telling you.
  • Journal Prompt: Where do I see myself in 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from now?
  • Yoga Focus: Seated meditation. Sit for 10 minutes in the morning and also 10 minutes at night. Focus on actually feeling and listening to your inhales and exhales. If your mind wanders off during your time, come back to focusing on your breath, just like a blank slate.

Waxing Crescent Moon

Now that you’ve set your intention for what you want, during the Waxing Crescent Moon phase is the time to use fresh energy to plan and focus on the details you can implement toward your goal.

“Waxing” means the moon is growing in light and energy and “Crescent” means less than half. So, use this time to gain momentum and set yourself up for the following moon phases.

  • Action to Take: It’s all about the details. Write out exactly how you plan to take this new project or intention on. What information do you need to gather?
  • Journal Prompt: What actions can I take today to move me forward tomorrow?
  • Yoga Focus: Crescent Moon. This posture represents the grounding down in order to begin to energetically lift up. Just like a new endeavor, if you’re knot solid in your base, it will be difficult to rise up.

First Quarter Moon

As your intention and project continue to evolve and grow, you’re now on your way to start seeing your actual vision come to life. With the realization of your project taking shape, challenges will naturally rise up as well.

When the moon is exactly half illuminated, that is the time of decision making. So, take care of yourself during this time so you are operating at your full potential. Eat well, do yoga, and get lots of sleep to have a clear head when challenges come up.

  • Action to Take: Stay grounded with the end result of your goal in your mind. Put your efforts in now and begin to implement the plans you set in place earlier. This is the time to make the magic happen.
  • Journal Prompt: What does happiness mean to me?
  • Yoga Focus: Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II) This posture has you looking forward toward where you are going but you’re also anchored to where you started in your back foot and hand. Ground down through your feet to feel equal weight distributed throughout your entire body. Feel how strong you are in this posture and also on your journey through the lunar cycle.

 

Waxing Gibbous Moon

At this point, your plate is full of all the goodness your efforts have been providing. From the momentum that you have been implementing toward your goal, ask yourself where can you edit? And this may mean taking a break of long hours of work and giving yourself the time of self-care.

“Waxing” and “Gibbous” means that the moon’s illumination is growing and almost a full moon. This is the time to refine your process and prepare for your project or intention to launch.

  • Action to Take: Check everything off your to-do list and then plan a day to treat yourself to something. Here is a list of ideas for you to try. Let it serve as a break from all the hard work you’ve been putting in.
  • Journal Prompt: What do I feel like when I am my most confident?
  • Yoga Focus: Eagle Pose (Garudasana) This posture is all about finding refinement as you gently shift your body to draw to your midline. It also is a great posture to prepare for a full release and celebration during the full moon.

Full Moon

When the sun illuminates the entire moon, this is the time of peak energy and celebration. So, throw yourself a lunar party! Kick things off by writing what you are grateful for since the new moon. What have you learned about yourself during this time?

You may also see your journey reach its peak. Have you stuck with your goal? How does your intention fit into your life after actively putting effort behind it? Your emotions may be high and feelings may be intense so be sure be honest about if this goal is still on track with what you really want.

  • Action to Take: Try on an intense workout or heated yoga class. Allow yourself to use the moon’s strong energy to put everything out on the table during class. When you’re all done, sit in quiet and decide what needs to be released in your life that is not serving you.
  • Journal Prompt: What positive changes have happened in the past two weeks? Write a thank you letter to yourself and give yourself 20/20 hindsight of what you will do moving forward.
  • Yoga Focus: Half Moon or Full Moon variation (Ardha Chandrasana). This posture is all about opening up and expanding energy in every direction possible. But the balance of energy happens from your core. Let your intention be your core strength that anchors you here. Share it with others and give gratitude for yourself for working so hard to get here.

Waning Gibbous Moon

Your gratitude from the full moon will continue on into the Waning Gibbous Moon. But the hard work is not over yet. This is the time to take what is working and push it forward and share it what you’ve learned or created with others. At the same time, you remove what is just not working anymore.

You’re continuing to make this intention or goal stronger.

  • Action to Take: As you share what you’ve learned, do it from a place of gratitude. How can you give back to others what you just gave yourself? Share your journey on social media, email a friend or chat about it over lunch.
  • Journal Prompt: What do you want others to know about you and why?
  • Yoga Focus: Bow Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana). This posture is about leading with your heart and exposing your heart chakra. It takes strength to share what is most intimate to ourselves. But trust that when you put it out there, someone will receive what you’re sharing in a positive way.

 

Last Quarter Moon

Similar to the First Quarter Moon, the last quarter is the half-way point of making decisions. It’s not an ideal time to start something new, but rather a time to decide what to let go of in order to create space.

This could mean being bold enough to let part of the project go that initially felt in scope, but has fallen off as you progressed forward. Or perhaps you simply alter your end goal based on the results you have seen throughout the lunar cycle process.

The key is here to be ok with this and not put doubt or insecurities on yourself for changing what you originally set out to do. This process is where you create space for newness as the new moon is approaching once again.

  • Action to Take: Check off lingering items on your to-do list and perhaps give your personal space a good clean (like cleaning out your closet or donating old household items). You want to tie off the loose-ends and other distractions so you can clearly see what is working and what is not.
  • Journal Prompt: What is the silver lining of something that happened in something I didn’t expect? What did I learn from this?
  • Yoga Focus: Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana). This posture is about letting go and turning inward. Send deep breaths to your entire body. Let every exhale serve as a release of tension both physically and mentally.

Waning Crescent Moon

This final phase of the lunar cycle is about surrender. But before you think this is a sign of weakness or failure, know that it is just the opposite.

Surrender into what is working in your life and fully embrace what you’ve worked so hard on the past few weeks. Or be bold and strong to say “no” to what you need to let go of.

Nothing is stronger than that.

In order to do so, now is the time to pause and reflect for where you can let go of thoughts, relationships, or habits that you need to in order to benefit you.

  • Action to Take: Practice self-care and maybe try on a digital detox to avoid outside influences that may cloud your thoughts.
  • Journal Prompt: What is one thing I can confidently let go of that will serve me better tomorrow?
  • Yoga Pose: Corpse Pose (Savasana) or Meditation. These restorative postures are the time to take in everything that you just gave yourself and start fresh for the next cycle ahead.

The big take away I want you to remember is that there is always an opportunity to start fresh and an opportunity to let something go.

When the moon is full, our energy may be high and we feel like we can take anything on, and some days we need to be quiet to find balance, like when the moon has gone dark.

Our lives are full of transitions and thank goodness that they are. Though sometimes they can be difficult to navigate, we always come out of them with our own personal growth in who we are.

The moon is full of female strength and wisdom, let her help you as take on your next adventure.