A photograph captures an intricately detailed brass statue of the Hindu deity Shiva in the form of Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. The statue is positioned centrally on a light-coloured wooden shelf, showing Shiva in a dynamic cosmic dance pose with multiple arms (four clearly visible) within a large circular, flame-fringed halo. He balances on his right leg on a prostrate figure, and his left leg is raised. The background, which is slightly out of focus, features a framed chart pinned to a white wall, displaying rows and rows of small illustrative human figures in various yoga asanas (poses), arranged in a sequence with unreadable descriptive text below each pose. The statue has a worn, aged metal finish. The perspective is frontal.

Moon days

Traditionally Ashtanga Yoga is not taught on days when the moon is full or new (moon days). The reasoning behind this is that we, as humans, are affected by the phases of the moon due to the moon’s effect on the tides and that we are made of about 70% water. Both Pattabhi and Sharath Jois agreed that the position of the moon influences the human mind and body, leading to the potential of physical or mental injury if you were to practice Ashtanga on these days.

Whether you believe this or not does not really matter; the tradition of resting from your Ashtanga practice on moon days is a way of honouring and respecting the natural cycles of the world. As students move towards the prescribed six day a week practice of Ashtanga Yoga, two extra days off in a month are also a welcome break!

At Ashtanga Yoga Hull we do not run classes on moon days.

You can access a calendar of the upcoming full and new moons in the UK here.