Moon days in Ashtanga yoga.

Ashtanga and Mysore-style yoga, moon days—the new moon and full moon—hold special significance. These days are traditionally observed as rest days, aligning with the lunar cycle’s influence on the body and mind. Practitioners believe that during the full moon, the body’s energy is heightened, potentially making it more prone to injury, while the new moon is thought to bring lower energy levels, encouraging rest and reflection. By taking these days off, Ashtanga yogis honour the natural rhythms of the moon and their impact on physical and mental balance, fostering a holistic connection between practice and nature. Moon days also offer an opportunity to recharge and maintain sustainability in the rigorous six-day-a-week practice.

Things to consider if you wish to practice on moon days;

Personal Reflection on Each Moon Phase

New Moon: A time of introspection and renewal. You could use this day for meditation, or gentle pranayama (e.g., Nadi Shodhana).

Full Moon: A time of heightened energy. While avoiding intense asana practice, you might explore visualisation, deep relaxation (Yoga Nidra), or Zen contemplation.

Alternative Practices for Moon Days

Matthew Sweeney’s Moon Sequence:- A more fluid, grounding sequence designed for these phases.

Iyengar Restorative Practice;- Supported poses like Supta Baddha Konasana, Viparita Karani, or Supta Virasana can encourage deep rest.

Breathwork & Meditation Practices like Chandra Bhedana (left-nostril breathing) or extended Shavasana with guided body scanning could enhance lunar attunement.

A Mindful Approach for Students Who Wish to Practice on Moon Days

If you practice during the lunar cycles we suggest a slower, mindful approach, emphasising longer holds, props, and breath awareness.

We would also encourage you to set an intention aligned with the lunar energy such as letting go during the full moon or setting new intentions during the new moon.

Moon Days & Suggested Practices 2025

• January 6 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• January 14 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• January 21 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• January 28 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• February 5 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• February 12 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• February 20 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• February 27 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• March 6 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• March 14 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• March 22 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• March 29 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• April 6 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• April 13 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• April 21 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• April 27 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• May 5 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• May 12 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• May 20 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• May 27 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• June 4 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• June 11 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• June 19 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• June 25 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• July 4 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• July 10 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• July 18 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• July 24 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• August 2 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• August 9 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• August 17 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• August 23 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• September 1 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• September 7 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• September 16 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• September 22 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• October 1 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• October 7 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• October 15 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• October 21 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• October 30 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• November 5 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• November 13 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• November 20 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• November 29 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• December 5 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• December 12 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• December 20 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• December 28 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

Moon Days & Suggested Practices 2026

• January 3 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• January 10 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• January 18 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• January 25 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• February 2 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• February 9 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• February 17 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• February 24 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• March 3 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• March 10 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• March 17 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• March 25 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• April 2 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• April 8 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• April 16 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• April 23 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• April 30 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• May 8 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• May 15 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• May 22 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• May 30 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• June 6 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• June 14 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• June 21 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• June 29 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• July 6 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• July 13 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• July 21 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• July 28 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• August 5 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• August 12 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• August 19 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• August 27 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• September 4 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• September 11 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• September 18 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• September 26 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• October 4 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• October 11 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• October 17 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• October 25 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• November 2 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• November 10 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• November 17 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• November 24 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• December 2 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

• December 10 – New Moon → Rest, gentle prāṇāyāma, or meditation

• December 17 – First Quarter → Iyengar-inspired focus or balanced āsana

• December 24 – Full Moon → Moon sequence, restorative practice, or prāṇāyāma

• December 31 – Last Quarter → Gentle Mysore, restorative, or prāṇāyāma with meditation

“Do not mistake the finger pointing at the moon for the moon itself.”
— Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra