Ashtanga Yoga Northampton
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MOON DAYS

Within the Ashtanga system, it's recommended that daily practitioners take rest on the days of the New Moon and Full Moon. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who introduced what eventually became known as "Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga"  would traditionally take the day off from teaching, on both the full and new moon, when he practiced rituals which took longer to complete on Moon Days. Within Indian teaching systems, it is felt that learning is less effective and students became more prone to error on Moon Days. The wisdom of this tradition comes from centuries of its practice across a variety of Indian arts and disciplines.

Within our Western "householder" yoga community, we have observed that it is important to offer classes uninterruptedly, as most of our students are hampered by the constraints of living within an onerous Western socio-economic system that does not enable them to enjoy the privilege of a daily morning practice. Thus, we offer classes on Moon Days, however, we teach no new postures to students on those days. 

For those students with a daily practice, 
we highly recommend that they observe moon days* and rest from their practice, to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature - and so, live in greater harmony with it.

2020
January
Friday 10th – full
Friday 24th – new

February
Saturday 8th- full
Sunday 23rd -new

March

Monday 9th -full
Tuesday 24th – new

April

Tuesday 7th – full
Wednesday 22nd – new

May

Thursday  7th – full
Friday 22nd – new

June

Friday 5th – full
Saturday 20th- new

July
Saturday 4th – full
Monday 20th- new

August

Monday 3rd – full 
Tuesday 18th- new

September

Tuesday 1st – full
Thursday 17th – new

October

Thursday 1st – full
Friday 16th – new
Saturday 31st-full

November

Saturday 14th – new
Monday 30th – full

​December

Monday 14th – new
Tuesday 29th – full

*Please note: these dates are based on the lunar calendar in the United States, not in Mysore, India.

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  • Home
  • Where to find our Teachers
    • Blog
  • AYN Closing Letter
  • Virtual Class Recording Archives
  • AYN Over the Years