Moon Days 2013

Days of rest from asana practice.  Here's why.
Moon days might vary depending on where you live.  Check with your teacher for your local dates.

Friday, January 11
Sunday, January 27

Sunday, February 10
Monday, February 25

Monday, March 11
Wednesday, March 27

Wednesday, April 10
Thursday, April 25

Friday, May 10
Friday, May 24

Saturday, June 8
Sunday, June 23

Monday, July 8
Monday, July 22

Tuesday, August 6
Tuesday, August 20

Thursday, September 5
Thursday, September 19

Friday, October 4
Friday, October 18

Sunday, November 3
Sunday, November 17

Monday, December 2
Tuesday, December 17

Shala Etiquette by Elise Espat

Here are some guidelines that we use at the Albuquerque Ashtanga Yoga Shala for a pleasant and productive practice environment.  Every Shala and teacher is unique, so if you are going some place new, be sure to check in with them about suggestions for practice.


Please respect the lineage, the teacher, other students, and yourself by following these guidelines.

Arrive to practice on an empty stomach. Do not bring any drinks into the Shala.

Turn off all electronic devices before entering the Shala.

Wear clean, comfortable, stretchy clothing similar to what one would wear to the gym. Avoid wearing jewelry and tie back long hair. Shoes are not worn inside the Shala, we practice with bare feet. Do not wear anything with perfumes and shower before practice.

Bring a clean towel and your own clean yoga mat. You may also rent a mat or purchase one at the Shala.

Settle your tuition before you begin your practice.

Notify your teacher well and before you begin practice of any pain, soreness, injury, past surgeries, pregnancy, illness, fasting, etc.  

If you are an experienced Mysore student, on your first day at the Shala practice the primary series.

Do not skip, add, or modify the traditional sequence unless requested.

Do not add any new asanas unless they are given.

Maintain silence and if necessary, speak quietly.

There are no classes on Moon Days or Saturdays. The first three days of menstruation are also a time for rest.

Practice at home if you are sick, take rest if you have a fever.

Everyone sweats. Clean any moisture left on the floor around your mat before you leave.



-An excellent list from Angela Jamison of Ashtanga Yoga Ann Arbor (also here).

{Video} Interview with Saraswathi Jois & Sharmila Mahesh

Ashtanga yoga is not athletic.

More information:
Saraswathi Jois
Sharmila Mahesh

Should I practice if... by Elise Espat

I'm sick?
Yes, practice at home.  You don't want to get anyone else sick.  Just do what you can.
If you have a fever, just rest.

I'm injured?
Yes.  Talk with your teacher in person, they'll be able to give you specific instruction on what to do and how to proceed.  Practice is effort toward steadiness of mind.  It really isn't about the asanas.  Your asana practice might be a bit different when you are working with an injury.  That is really totally ok.

I'm menstruating?

No.  Rest during your first three days of menstruation.

I'm pregnant?
Maybe.  Talk with your teacher in person.

I'm feeling sad/tired/scared/angry/upset/happy/etc.?

Yes.  See "effort toward steadiness of mind".

I'm sore?

Yes.  Let your teacher know.   

I'm unsure of what to do/forgot what to do?
Yes.  Just show up and try to remember.  If nothing comes to you, your teacher will.  However, nothing will happen if you don't show up.

I'm a beginner?

Yes.  Just show up.  Your teacher will show you what to do.

It is a moon day?

No.  Just rest.

I missed days and dread what will happen?

Yes.  Just show up and see what happens.  No fear. 

I don't like it/am not comfortable?
Yes.  It is okay to feel confused, emotional, uncomfortable, etc.  If you trust your teacher and have faith in the practice, it will pass.  If you don't trust your teacher and don't have faith in the practice, find a new teacher and maybe a new practice.

I'm hungover/constipated/hungry/ate something right before?
Yes.  Just show up and see what happens.  That is how we learn.

Right, so yoga is the cessation of the thinking mind so that one can see the true nature of the self.  Practice is effort toward steadiness of mind.  It all starts to come together through consistent, dedicated, uninterrupted practice, done over a LONG period of time.  So really, you are practicing 24/7.  The asana bit, the ritual where you show up to work on the tristhana happens "every day".  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then rest on either Saturday or Sunday and moon days.  This system works pretty well because some days you'll be like "Yay yoga!" and it will be easy to show up and other days you'll be like "Snooze!"  If you have designated rest days, then when the mind starts setting up obstacles, you can say "that's cool, we'll rest on Saturday, today I'm going to practice no matter what!"  And then when you hit snooze anyway, show up the next day for sure.  And then when it happens again and again and you think you can't go back, let the feelings go.  Turn that passion toward getting back tomorrow.

It is sort of like maintaining a long-term relationship...it can't only be about the physical.  Looks fade.  Get interested in what can't really be seen, the inside stuff.  Try to figure out this steady mind thing.  Let go of the asanas.

Of course, you can't learn yoga from a website.  Ask your teacher about this stuff.  Do what they say.  See what happens.

Video Interview 2

Video interview