Chandra Namaskara: How to Practice Moon Salutations

Occurring every one to three years, and when two full moons appear in the same month, the Blue Moon is an enchanting one with its rarity. Making it’s arrival even more allusive, this next moon will appear at its fullest on the mystical Halloween holiday, a coincidence that last took place 75 years ago. During the time of the full moon, the moon creates its most powerful illumination. Essentially, it’s shining light on everything needing to be seen, and most importantly, all that is no longer needed. This explains why many people experience heightened emotions, difficulty sleeping or a greater sense of urgency during this phase. In the true nature of this moon, it’s fullness is presenting a “once in a blue moon” chance for transformation. Prepare for the energy under its unique light to be even higher and the power of letting go to be far stronger than usual. Bear in mind that the energy can be intense, so it’s hugely important to take care of yourself during this phase. Where you may be used to including Sun Salutations in your yoga flow, which are heating and stimulating, you may find this movement to be a little intense with all the external energy in the air. Instead, Moon Salutations provide a sense of ease, creating a cooling and calming energy that helps us turn inward and pay attention to all that the moon is illuminating. Not too sure what Moon Salutations are? You can find a step-by-step of how to flow through one below: Standing Mountain Pose – Tadasana Stand with your feet pressing firmly into the ground, hip-width distance apart with the toes pointing in slightly Drop the tailbone to create a long, straight spine and roll the shoulders away from the ears to allow broadening across the collarbone Place the palms together at the heart centre Upward Salute – Urdhva Hastasana Take a deep inhale and lift your arms out to the sides until they meet above the head Allow the fingers to interlace and the index finger to point straight up to the ceiling Feel the feet grounding into the earth, whilst the hands are reaching to the sky Side Bend/Half Moon – Parsva Urdhva Hastasana Exhale and move the fingertips over to the right, whilst the left hip presses in the opposite direction. Feel the stretch from your left hip, all the way up the side body Goddess Squat – Utkata Konasana As you inhale, step your feet slightly wider than hip-width distance apart, with the toes turning out to a 45° angle As you exhale, slowly bend the knees into a squat, ensuring the pelvis is tucked and the spine is straight Take an inhale and open the arms out to the sides with a bend in the elbows so they form 90° angles Let the gaze go up to the sky as you find a grounding in the lower body and a lightness in the upper Star pose As you exhale, turn the right toes to face the front and the left toes in to form a 45° angle Inhale and extend the arms so that they are parallel to the floor and the hands are reaching out to the sides Exhale as you reach out through the fingertips and gaze over the front middle finger Triangle Pose – Trikonasana On your next inhale, allow your left hip to move to the left side, whilst the front fingertips reach forward Shift your upper body to fold over the extended leg As you exhale, lower the right hand to the inside of the leg, palm facing forward The left arm extends straight up to the sky, creating one long line with the arms Be mindful not to press on the ankle and to keep the chest lifted Pyramid Pose – Parsvottanasana Inhale as you release the left hand down to the mat, turning the upper body to be positioned over the front leg Keep the front leg straight as you exhale and forward fold High Lunge – Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasna On your next inhale, bend the front knee and slide the left foot back coming onto the ball of it Release the hands down to the floor to frame the front foot Low Crescent Lunge – Anjaneyasana As you exhale, bend the back knee, lower it down to the mat and untuck the toes Take an inhale as you sweep the arms up around the sides to meet above the head Low Side Lunge – Parsva Anjaneyasana As you exhale lower the hands and place them both on the inside of the front foot Place the back foot down at a slight side angle and straighten the leg, the front leg stays bent Inhale as you slowly start to walk the hands away from your body If this feel too much, move the hands closer to the body, or place them on top of the front leg Yogi Squat – Malasana Exhale and walk the hands to the left so that they come in between the feet Step the feet together, slightly wider than hip-width distance and turn the toes out to a 45° angle Bend the knees and sink the tailbone down to the ground, creating a low squat Inhale as you bring the arms in between both legs into a prayer position at the heart centre Place the elbows on the inside of the knees, lift the chest and broaden across the collarbone Low Side Lunge – Parsva Anjaneyasana As you exhale, bend the left knee and come to place the hands on the inside of the foot Slide the right leg out, keeping the toes turned in slightly and straighten the leg Inhale as you start to walk the hands away from the body coming into a forward fold Again, option to move the hands closer to the body, or place them on top of the front leg Low Crescent Lunge – Anjaneyasana On your next inhale, walk the hands round to frame the front foot, swivelling onto the ball of the back foot with the toes facing towards the front As you exhale, bend the back knee, lower it down to the mat and untuck the toes Take an inhale as you sweep the arms up around the sides to meet above the head High Lunge – Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasna Exhale as you tuck the back toes and straighten the leg to lift it off the ground Come up onto your fingertips and lift the gaze so that the chest faces forward Pyramid Pose – Parsvottanasana Inhale as step the back foot slightly closer to the front Turn the toes in to a 45° angle so that the outer edge of the foot is pressing firmly into the mat Straighten through the front leg Exhale to forward fold over the front leg – releasing the arms to the sides and down to the mat to help you find balance Triangle Pose – Trikonasana On your next inhale, the left arm comes onto the inside of the left leg and the right arm releases up to the sky Exhale as you ground down into the feet, drawing a straight line with the arms Gaze can go up to the sky, or down to the mat, depending on what is most comfortable for your neck Star pose As you inhale, keep the feet rooted into the mat as you slowly lift the upper body until the arms are back to being parallel with the mat Exhale and take a bend in the knees as you step the feet together, hip-width distance apart facing forward Goddess Squat – Utkata Konasana As you inhale, rotate your hips and toes to face forward with toes turning out to a 45° angle As you exhale, slowly bend the knees into a squat, ensuring the pelvis is tucked and the spine is straight Take an inhale and open the arms out to the sides with a bend in the elbows so they form 90° angles Let the gaze go up to the sky as you find a grounding in the lower body and a lightness in the upper Side Bend/Half Moon – Parsva Urdhva Hastasana From Goddess Pose step or jump your feet together and reach your arms up Exhale and move the fingertips over to the left, whilst the right hip presses in the opposite direction Feel the stretch from your right hip, all the way up the side body From your side bend inhale and reach your arms up into upward salute, before bringing your palms together at heart centre for Tadasana. Now, you find yourself back in your Standing Mountain Pose, having completed the full round of Moon Salutation. You can continue to move through this salutation, matching movement to breath to allow the poses to ease the body from the inside out.

Your shopping bag

Your Bag is Empty

Your shopping bag

Our Journal

Chandra Namaskara: How to Practice Moon Salutations

Free Standard Delivery

Gift Cards

Simple Returns

Stay Connected to Us

About Us

Here to Help

Support & Guidance

Community

Country/region