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My teacher, Dr. Hari Dickman, taught this Moon Salutation to me. Hari was one of Swami Sivananda's earliest disciples, who was considered an "advanced Raja Yogi who read all of Sri Swami Sivananda's works and thoroughly mastered them". |
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The Moon is important to the Hindu people. Celebrations and special events are often timed according to the moon. The Hindu lunar month consists of two halves of 15 days each. The first begins with the New Moon (Amavasya), while the second half begins with the Full Moon (Purnima). The Full Moon is of particular importance. In regards to Hatha Yoga, "ha" is the sun and "tha" is the moon. The moon is cooling, calming, closing the day. At this time of year we see a lot of the moon in all its glory. Let's celebrate and salute the Moon! 1) Stand in Tadasana at the front of your mat. Exhale hands into prayer position, then Inhale as you stretch up and back. 2) Exhale and stretch forward into padahastasana (standing forward bend). Bend the knees if necessary to get the hands to the floor . 3)Inhale and step back with the right leg, right foot firmly planted on the ground, and torso centered over the hips. Exhale into the stretch. 4) Inhale and raise the arms over the head into Virabhadrasana (warrior). Keep the right leg straight. 5) Exhale and bring the knees to the floor, stretching back into Pranatasana (child pose) with arms stretched out in front. 6) Inhale and step forward with the right leg, left foot firmly planted on the ground, and torso centered over the hips. Exhale into the stretch. 7) Inhale and raise the arms over the head into Virabhadrasana (warrior). Keep the left leg straight. 8) Exhaling, lower your hands to the floor and step back into Urdvha Mukho Svanasana (upward facing dog), with toes tucked under. 9) Exhale and bring the knees to the floor, stretching back into Pranatasana (child pose) with arms stretched out in front. 10) Tuck your toes under for a nice stretch for them. Inhale and raise your body up, reaching your arms over your head towards the Moon. 11) Exhale, lowering the arms to the floor while you raise the knees so you are squatting on your toes (another great toe stretch!). 12)Inhale to standing in Tadasana, hands in prayer position. Exhale and step to the front of your mat. |