Last Quarter

We've worked on our Yamas by putting our intention onto our environment and outward journey. Now is the time to draw our focus inward to our Niyamas, the second limb of yoga. Bring your focus onto your self-discipline and observance of the mind, body, and spirit. Be mindful of the emotions that arise at this time, letting them be your messenger.

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The earth's "feel good" hormones have risen but will soon wane with the moon. This may create intense emotions, making your self-care practice crucial now. Begin this phase strong by doing a gentle cleanse today. Add healthy foods to your diet that support your digestive system and body through this physical time of the month. As the gut communicates with the rest of your mind, body, and spirit, be mindful that your diet is creating the language of this communication.

 

The last quarter moon is a transitional time of the month, marking the luteal phase as the earth moves from ovulation and into menstruation. The luteal phase of a woman's monthly cycle prepares the uterus for shedding the old lining through menstruation or the implantation of new life. This cycle and phase of the moon reflect a process of making room for new life by letting go.

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Harvest the Earth's energetic rising estrogen by directing attention to what the full moon has birthed. Keep this new layer of healing as your focal point as you take in the extra courage felt from this fearless phase of the moon.  Explore creative projects and schedule medical appointments, wellness exams, and dentist appointments. Respond to any negative thoughts and emotions associated with change by addressing stress with your environment.  

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Join the universe in this transitional time as you prepare your new intentions for next week's new moon. Today is a great day to organize and purge to eliminate what no longer serves you. Create space for new goals and intentions you’ll be making on the New Moon. Prep enough healthy foods for the upcoming week, as well as your Asana routine, to assist you through your Niyamas.  Allow your second chakra, the sacral, to guide you through any fears the root has exposed.  You may find underneath that anger is blocking your path to enlightenment. 

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The sacral chakra is our emotional identity, according to the book Eastern Body, Western Mind. This gives way to our bodily experiences by giving them "dimension and texture, connecting us to the flow of the world." When blocked, this emotional identity becomes blocked and creates a dam to the flow of the universe.

With the full moon giving birth to a new layer of your authentic self, this waning time of the month symbolizes the third stage of labor. The home that once nourished and sustained life is expelled in one final push, and the placenta, known as afterbirth, is delivered. Release what no longer sustains the newborn dreams placed on your heart. 

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Celebrate this transitional time with a rest day, traditionally celebrated as the pagan holiday called Mabon. Harness the energy of this holiday with thanksgiving of balance and bounty. Rest in those beautiful moments between life and death, sun and moon, old and new, as you sit before your harvest and your faith is restored.

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As you heal and strengthen your lower chakras, welcome the color orange into your life through physical reminders like clothing, art, crystals, food and drink, flowers, and herbs. Honor the changing seasons with a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to eat this week. Bring your altar to life with an array of orange and yellow flowers and stones like carnelian, tiger's eye, amber, and yellow jasper.

 

Spark your creative energy with yoga poses that engage your sacral chakra, like extended side angle, half moon, reverse half-moon, warrior two, extended hand to toe, squat, head to knee, cow face, bound angle (butterfly), wide-angle seated forward bend, kneeling triangle (gate), upward facing dog, locust, one-legged pigeon, reclining hand to big toes, child, wind relieving (a personal favorite), and legs up the wall pose.

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Arrange your surroundings for new life to flourish by going inward with your Niyamas this week. The following journal prompts will prepare you for your next phases and limbs of yoga in preparation for intentions to be rooted with the coming new moon.  

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Journal Prompts:

1. Where do I feel a loss of control?

2. What final push is needed to take the next best step?

3. With one week to go until the new moon, what do I need to focus on in order to be ready for my new intentions?

4. Am I holding onto guilt? Is guilt holding onto me?

5. Am I in touch with my emotions?

6. If I could, I would...

7. I'm curious about...

8. I'm excited about...

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Affirmation: I feel alive and free as I move about the world.