11 asanas to do during the January full moon

Hello super blood wolf full moon. This is quite a rare and beautiful event for us to become more still and create self-awareness. As this is the first full moon of the year, we have the opportunity to reflect and create space in the mind, body and soul to discover our hidden talents, what we really want to be doing and new wonderful ways in which we can express ourselves and our ideas to the world. 

TRIANGLE POSE

Starting the sequence with trikonasana and grounding to the earth. This asana works on the root chakra, our energy centre of balance and stability in the world. Place your feet firmly on the ground, connect with it and experience the beauty of feeling secure in your own body, knowing that when you have inner balance, the outer world will feel just the same. 

HALF MOON POSE

Ardha Chandrasana seems like the appropriate asana to do during a full moon day. But this asana has many great benefits, including grounding and stillness of mind. Ardha Chandrasana strengthens the legs, tones the abdomen and helps relieve any stress or excess energy created by the mind’s wandering thoughts. 

WARRIOR III

Like any of the warrior asanas, Virabadhrasana III is an empowering asana, bringing self-confidence and embracing your true self. Balance, strength and grounding are all qualities of a warrior and this asana will help you identify these within yourself. 

DOWNWARD FACING DOG

Adho Mukka Svanasana wakes up the mind and energises the body. This asana provides a great stretch to the whole body and opens the chest, allowing for the breath to deepen. Adho Mukka Svanasana helps release any blockages from the physical, mental and emotional self and relieves fatigue and worry. Appreciating this present moment and letting go of whatever is no longer serving you. (Click here for step by step instructions)

PLANK

On an energetic level, ​Kumbhakasana activates Manipura, the solar plexus chakra. This is the energy centre in the body where we connect with our inner power and embrace our will power. It requires you to engage the abdominal muscles and find your inner balance by trusting yourself, knowing you have the strength to pursue any experience with complete self-trust and self-awareness. 

BRIDGE POSE

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana energises the mind therefore giving you a boost of confidence. As this is a back bending pose, it empowers you to let go of the old and open your heart to the new. Wonderful experiences are everywhere if your perception of the world is in a state of clarity and inner peace. Setu bandha sarvangasana provides flexibility of the spine and with this comes flexibility of the mind. When you are open to adapt to different experience, you learn that each one comes with its lessons, all impacting your self-development in a growing, progressive phase. 

WHEEL POSE

Urdva Dhanurasana provides an even greater flexibility to the spine, but it also teaches you to see the world from a different angle. Sometimes, turning your world upside down, will provide the clarity you need to know where your path is headed. This asana might bring to surface unexpected past issues or emotional experiences you have buried in the past, not to take you back to those moments but to help you move on, removing the heavy burdens, releasing the old experiences, and welcoming in the new. 

RECLINED HERO POSE

​Supta virasana helps release symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. Sometimes, we can be too much in our head and experience excess worry and overthinking. This asana provides a lovely calming effect to the nervous system and empowers you to relax, let go and just be in the present moment. As we are at the beginning of a new year, we need to create space in the mind in order to manifest the beautiful experiences that await. 

FISH POSE

​Matsyanasa activates and balances Vishudi, the throat chakra. This is the energy channel in the body that represents freedom of expression and clear communication. Matsyasana empowers you to open this energy channel and release any blockages created by feeling afraid or ashamed to share your ideas with the world. When you release these negative blockages and realise that you have a voice, you can move forward with a liberating feeling of joy and communicate clearly. 

CHILD'S POSE

​Balasana is a reflective asana, providing you with a nurturing feel. This asana doesn’t require any physical effort, but instead it provides a peaceful moment of tranquillity, to reflect, release and move forward with self-love and self-confidence. I always think of balasana as giving myself a big hug, giving thanks to my body, mind, emotional and spiritual self and embracing all that I am in the present moment. It's also a good idea to repeat an affirmation during this asana and connect with its meaning, giving yourself the encouragement you need in order to believe in your mantra.

LEGS UP THE WALL

​Viparita karani is another asana that requires no physical effort. All that is needed is your willingness to be still and create some space within. Letting go of any thoughts or feelings, during viparita karani you are open to connect with your consciousness and letting go of the ego’s needs to continuously guide you to the next moment. This asana boosts blood circulation in the legs, leaving you feel energised and ready to walk your path with confidence and clarity.