The Ultimate Guide to Practice Yoga on October’s New Moon
I was ecstatic about the New Moon. Happening on October 25th at 6:49 AM (ET), the New Moon signifies a reset, new beginnings, and the setting of intentions. It is an opportune time to manifest your intentions for the next month. There’s an energy in the ether, and if you sit still and open your heart to it, you can feel magic. I can’t help but feel the mystery and intrigue that the energy of the moon vibrates.
The moon’s position in Scorpio is the reason for this particular vibe. According to the zodiac, Scorpio, as a water sign, influences our emotions, moving them the same way the ebb and flow of water moves the sand on a beach. It gradually reveals our deepest and hidden secrets—the pent-up emotions and sensitivity—that lie buried.
There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding this New Moon. Although this is a time of rebirth, a partial solar eclipse will also happen. A solar eclipse can be chaotic, and this is not a good time to set intentions and manifestations.
This is the time to adjust and revise your current plans. Instead of setting an intention, try to let go of the old and embrace the new.
Embrace the path of transformation through self-reflection.
And what better way to transform and reflect on yourself than through the practice of yoga and meditation rituals?
Yoga is an ancient and spiritual practice to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through the practice of yoga, we can let go of old patterns and habits that no longer serve us and make space for new ones that will help us create the life we truly want. And interestingly enough, if you keep asking yourself to what end you desire what you want, you’ll discover that we all want the same basic things: love, peace, joy, and freedom. And yoga aims to equip you with the tools to obtain these desires. It’s more than just poses or physical fitness, but a method of spiritual growth, deep connection, and self-realization.
If you’re looking for ways to prepare yourself for the upcoming New Moon and the ultimate guide for your yoga and meditation practice, then this is for you.
One tip: Start with some cleansing and self-care rituals listed below before moving on to the yoga asanas. In warm weather, I recommend concentrated coconut and olive as the carrier oil and mixing 2-3 drops of essential oils.
I recommend cooling coconut or olive oil as a carrier oil and mixing 2-3 drops of essential oils into it. (This is best if you have a fiery Pitta dosha constitution. For Vatas, substitute sesame oil for a carrier oil. For Kaphas, replace almond oil or sesame oil. If you’re unsure which dosha you might identify with, check out this blog post on the doshas. )
Since the partial solar eclipse can cause turbulent emotions, fiery Pitta and mobile Vata people (or those of you experiencing these kinds of energies) should use lavender, vetiver, and ylang-ylang essential oils for their calming effects on your emotions. For more sedentary Kapha types (or anyone feeling stuck or depressed in energy), try blending a few citrus oils if you feel drained. Citrus oil stimulates and energizes the senses so that you can move forward.
Massage the diluted essential oils to your scalp first after pouring a small amount on your hands. Constantly work your way toward the heart and the rest of your body. Use long and gliding strokes on your arms and legs, while massaging your chest, belly, and joints in a circular and clockwise motion.
Allow the oil to absorb for 10-20 minutes before bathing. While waiting, use this time to meditate and reflect.
Ask yourself questions like, “Which of my actions, anxieties, and thought patterns are no longer useful to me?”
What steps should I take to transform myself and be the person I want to be?
Relax and feel the release of those energies as you close your eyes and inhale deeply and exhale through your nose. Practice breathing deeply into your belly. Give yourself permission to expand 360° like a balloon. Repeat this three times while chanting the mantra of letting go. “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” translates to “I bow to the Creative Wisdom. I bow to the Divine Teacher Within.”
Now that you have practiced self-reflection and the transformative power of meditation, this is the time to move your body with the following yoga postures.
Bound Angle Pose
(Baddha Konasana)
The bound angle pose is a restorative yoga pose that is often used to help relieve stress, anxiety, sciatica, and constipation. The pose gets its name from the way the legs and feet are pulled in together tightly as if bound. Its Sanskrit name is Baddha Konasana and this pose is great for beginners, as it is relatively easy to do and does not require any special equipment.
How to do it:
Sit on your mat. Bring the soles of the feet together so that the hips externally rotate out toward the sides of your mat
Inhale. Extend long through the spine by imagining a string connected to your crown is pulling you upwards. Tilt the pelvis forward.
Exhale fold forward hinging at the hips while keeping the spine long from the low back through the back of the neck.
With each inhale, grow the spine long, and with each exhale breathe into the hips and fold a little deeper.
Modifications:
Slide your feet 1-2 feet forward to give more space to fold forward.
Benefits of the pose:
Increases flexibility
Builds up strength in the groin, knees, and inner thighs
Invigorates abdominal activity, or the digestive system
Boosts the activity of kidneys, bladder, ovaries, and prostate glands
Opens hips and lengthens spines
Strengthens cardiac muscles
Great Sage Pose I (Marichyasana I)
Marichyasana is a deep forward fold, which relieves tension and soothes the mind.
How to do it:
Sit on your mat with both legs extended long in front of you.
Bend your left knee placing your left foot by your right thigh.
Inhale, lengthening the spine as if a string attached to your crown is pulling you up.
Exhale and twist through your core to the left wrapping your right arm around your left knee. Grab hold of your right fingertips, fingers, or wrist with your left hand to create a bind.
With each inhale, grow the spine long, and with each exhale twist a little deeper.
Be sure to even yourself out by switching sides.
Modifications:
Try an open twist without folding forward
Tight hamstrings or glutes? Try to sit on the edge of a couple of folded blankets. Then use a belt or yoga strap around the foot of your extended leg. Press your foot into the strap and counter that force by pulling the strap toward your chest.
Benefits of the pose:
Stretches back, shoulders, and legs
Lengthens the spine
Stimulates blood circulation and improves the function of the reproductive system
Improves flexibility of the lower back
Prasarita padottanasana
The Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend can help to improve your balance, lengthen your spine, and stretch your hamstrings. It also helps to calm your mind and relieve stress.
Benefits of the pose:
Stretches and strengthens legs and spine
Tones abdominal muscles
Alleviates mild back pain
Garland Pose (Malasana)
Malasana or Garland pose is a deep squat that we often do, and some yogis may find it easy to execute. This pose provides a calming and grounding experience.
Benefits of the pose:
Builds core strength on feet, ankles, legs, hips, and groins
Tones the abdominal muscles
Makes you feel connected to your practice and increase focus.
If you have injuries, it is still advised not to perform those yoga postures. Also, for beginners, I would recommend practicing those poses with a partner or a teacher that guides you along your journey.