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.