Typically on Moon Days, we take a day off from our practice. Sometimes I take the day off completely and maybe lounge around if I can, but mostly I take the opportunity to do longer yin holds or deeper meditation.
馃寭馃寬馃寫馃寴馃寭馃寯馃寱馃寲馃寳
Today is a new moon and while I will be teaching a number of classes, I will be urging my students to work at 50% of their energetic capacity rather than their normal 120%.
I invite you to do the same. 鉂わ笍
For many of my students being asked to take things down a number of notches is a serious challenge - asking anyone to take a day off from practice (or anything else) is oftentimes viewed as irresponsible, non-committal, lazy. 馃槺
While I used to feel the same way, I am really starting to appreciate the moon days as a way to turn inward, to slow the F down.
To put it bluntly, I need my energy (dopamine) levels to be replenished instead of feeling constantly depleted. This is something else I've been feeling in my practice these last few years, so I'm exploring it more.
Honoring the moon days is therefore an opportunity to replenish so that we don't burn out. This to me is Yogic mastery.
I don't care what anyone says: being a Yoga Badass is not about pushing yourself so hard that you burn out - and potentially get injured in the process. Instead, being a Yoga Badass means to be mature enough in our practices (and in life!) to know when to say when.
Do you practice on the Moon Days? Do you notice your energy levels higher or lower around the moon days? Have you ever heard of the Ashtanga Guilt when it comes to practicing (I'm sure you can imagine what that means, especially in regards to this subject).
I would love to know your thoughts in the comments below. 鉂わ笍
鉂わ笍 Jenni Sol