Module 4: Stage 3 - MOON, Calm
MOON in Hatha yoga is MIND. Because, like Mind, it is always changing. MOON Stage is about purifying (calming) and strengthening (stabilizing) the Mind.
When the Moon is made steady, the Sun can be made to rise.
*** MOON stage of Hatha Progression is best represented by Yoga Sutra 1.2***
Yogascittavrttinirodhah
Yoga is mastery over roaming tendencies of the mind
MOON in Hatha yoga is MIND. Because, like Mind, it is always changing. MOON Stage is about purifying (calming) and strengthening (stabilizing) the Mind.
Now we start yoga.
How can we see true reflection of Moon in rough waters on the lake on of our mind?
FIRST, calm the mind and slow down it’s fluctuations, so that we can see:
1. what they are
2. what to do with them
3. what lies beneath them.
Mind’s movements (thought waves) are called vrittis. By calming the vrittis we start to see that we are NOT the vrittis, but, rather, that we have them. This is Viyoga (Vi=separate, “un-unite” ourselves from our mental content). And if we know we have them, then we can decide what to do with them.
The 1st part of MOON stage is about calming down the mind, slowing down the storm of vrittis, so that we can get a clear picture of our inner landscape. LANGHANA and emphasis on cultivation of Witnessconsciousness. This stage is Purification of Mind – slowing down the Mind leg of Human Tripod – so we can see how to … upgrade it as our practice matures.
MOON Calm stage explores:
- EARTH and WATER element – Kapha dosha
- APANA Vayu – exhalation and forward bends
- EXHALA KRAMA – 1:2 breathing
- VILOMA Pranayama
- NETI NETI Meditation
- VIYOGA – Witness Consciousness and separation from content
*** MOON Calm stage is further described in Yoga Sutra 1.12 ***
Abhyasavairagyabhyam tannirodhah
Those (vrittis) can be controlled through practice and non-attachment
*** And following sutras 1.13-1.14 bridge the 2 halves of MOON, describing “practice” (abhyasa) and means of accomplishing it (sadhana) ***
Tatra sthitau yatno’bhyasah (1.13)
Practice is ardent effort to retain peaceful flow of mind free or roaming tendencies
Sa tu dirghakalanairantaryasatkarasevito drdha bhumih (1.14)
That becomes firm only when:
(a) done for a long period of time
(b) with no interruption
(c) with reverence
The goal of this Module is to learn to calm down and relax… So let’s get started…
Founder and Head Coach of Calm Accelerator, LLC and all of its programs, Holistic Health Coach, Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, ERYT500, Meditation Coach and Yoga Mentor
Read more about Natasha here
8 Lessons
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3 Adaptations of Relaxed Breath Training for 3 Ayurvedic Types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.
30:00 MINS -
Introduction to VAYUS = pranic winds. This is a story from Vedic lore about Vayu – Lord of the Wind, to illustrate the importance of Breath and what it carries in the yogic work of Energy Management.
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Upon entering our body Prana splits into 5 major sub currents, which yogis manage with asana, pranayama, meditation, and mudra.
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APANA facilitates relaxation, letting go, cooling off and grounding. It balances elements of Space and Air with it’s grounding effect, removes toxins (physical and mental), and is generally purifying, cooling, grounding energy that reduces inflammation greatly, balancing most of it’s fiery upward moving qualities.
Apana Vayu is sub-dosha of Vata Dosha -
Cultivation of Pure Apana in practice – EXHALE KRAMA, forward bends, PAUSE (sunya).
Calm, ground, quiet down, drop in.37:00 MINS -
Infographic listing Kapha’s qualities, powers, imbalances and management strategies.
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ROOT chakra (pelvic girdle, legs, feet) – strengthening it with subtle work of contracting and releasing on the breath. grounding the mind and senses, and bringing forth a sense of calm, stability and security.
60:00 MINS -
HIPS – exploring range of movement to access
APANA vayu, without “falling asleep”, using big movement and lower body lateral stretches to also increase VYANA for circulation and nourishment.90:00 MINS
