Pondering the Moon

It's the full moon in February. Also the last day of the month. As I research potential themes for my classes this week, I ran across the Ashtanga yoga tradition of not practicing on full moon or new moon days. Hmm. It seems that it has to do with the body's vulnerability to injury during these days. Our body is comprised mostly of water, and is therefore affected by the phases of the moon (like the tides of the oceans). In the Anusara tradition, the moon would be likened to Muscular Energy. As it reflects the rays of the sun and is wholly dependent upon another source for it's light. It draws from outside in. Without the nourishing, Organic illumination of the sun, it is dark and cold...and in fact, without the sun our galaxy would cease to exist as we know it. All life on this planet would end. Our planet hangs in the balance between two necessary extremes. Ha - is the Sun. Tha - is the Moon. Hatha yoga is the scientific practice of finding balance in our selves as our world has between the polarity of the Muscular Energy of the Moon and the Organic Energy of the Sun. This week we will play with Muscular and Organic Energy and pray for the discovery of balance in our bodies. Eventually, the physical practice of Hatha yoga will lead us to the richer, deeper revelation of inner balance. Or, at least direct us on the path...if not actually, perhaps cosmologically :D