Caused when the moon moves directly between the sun and the earth, covering it completely to cast a shadow on our planet, the eclipse lasted nearly 4 minutes in India, 6 minutes and 39 seconds in other parts of Asia.
One of the best views was had in the Indian town of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river which is sacred to Hindus. Thousands of devotees took a dip in the Varanasi river following the ancient belief that bathing there during special occasions cleanses one's sins. The eclipse was seen there for 3 minutes and 48 seconds. It is the longest such eclipse since July 11, 1991, when a total eclipse lasting 6 minutes, 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America. There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132.
Based on the Lunar Calendar, today is also a New Moon Day and as such is observed as a yoga holiday in Ashtanga Yoga tradition.
Since humans consist of about 70% water, we become affected by the phases of the moon, which is determined by the moon’s position in relation to the sun.
"Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle, according to Ashtanga Yoga resources. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognise and honour the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it."
For Ashtangis who may from one time or another feel weary from practising the traditional Ashtanga series yet still seek a regular practice despite moon days, the Chandra Krama is an alternative gentle sequence during these times.
Practiced with patience Chandra Krama is rewarding and strengthening. Although there are no jumps in this sequence the core principles of movement and breath are maintained. The emphasis of Chandra Krama is on the hips and mid-section of the body, with decreased emphasis on upper body strength and the knees.
Many thanks to Allen Maitri Enrique for sharing the Chandra Krama on this moon day. Click here to view a larger image, as presented by the Australian Ashtangi Matthew Sweeney. Om.
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