Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, due to the quality and quantity of energy present in each of these phases.
What is the reasoning behind this?
“Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position 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.
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.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles.
Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.“
– Tim Miller

Year 2021
○ full moon | ● new moon
January
Thursday 13 ● new moon
Thursday 28 ○ full moon
February
Thursday 11 ● new moon
Saturday 27 ○ full moon
March
Saturday 13 ● new moon
Sunday ○ full moon
April
Monday 12 ● new moon
Tuesday 27 ○ Super full moon
May
Tuesday 11 ● new moon
Wednesday 26 ○ Super full moon
June
Thursday 10 ● new moon
Thursday 24 ○ full moon
July
Saturday 10 ● new moon
Saturday 24 ○ full moon
August
Sunday 8 ● new moon
Sunday 22 ○ full moon
September
Tuesday 7 ● new moon
Tuesday 21 ○ full moon
October
Wednesday 6 ● new moon
Wednesday 20 ○ full moon
November
Thursday 4 ● new moon
Friday 19 ○ full moon
December
Saturday 4 ● new moon
Sunday 19 ○ full moon