CHENNAI:Who hasn’t enjoyed moon-gazing by the beach? As romantic as it sounds, the reality is that the moon does affect our body and mind — in both negative and positive ways. D N Rao, who has been teaching and practicing yoga for over a decade, shares with City Express the importance of Chandra Namaskar and other yogasanas in our life.
“Chandra Namasakar or moon salutation is not as common as Surya Namaskar. It has all the steps of the Surya Namaskar and an additional step called Ardha Chandrasana or half-moon pose, which is performed after ashwa sanchalanasana. It has 14 sequences representing the 14 positions of the moon, unlike the Surya Namaskar which has 12 sequences representing the zodiac signs.”
According to neuroscience, the subconscious mind controls 95% of the body. The energy of the moon affects the frequency of the mind that exerts control over our feelings, emotions, and desires. “Thus, Chandra Namaskar will help us balance our body and mind. If you are dealing with anxiety, it will calm you,” says Rao, who is also a postgraduate in yoga psychology from Bihar School of Yoga.
However, Rao advices his students not to practice Chandra Namaskar if you’re depressed or sad. “It is the nature of the moon to enhance your feelings. Thus, if a person is sensitive to the energy of the moon, he/she should avoid Chandra Namaskar.”
Often associated with a feminine symbol, the moon salutation is most beneficial to women. You can do Chandra Namaskar only on an empty stomach during a full moon night to absorb the energy of the moon. “It helps in hormonal balance and also helps the body to attain peace and tranquility after the asanas,” he adds. When asked about the precautions to be taken during menstruation, he said it can be performed depending on your body condition. “As a teacher I never expect students to stress their body to perform any asanas and especially during mensuration, a woman should avoid the inverted positions of asanas.”
“If a person has a knee or back injury you must to be careful while doing bhujangasana, anahatasana and other lunges. There are modified versions of these asanas for them” he added.
You can end Chandra Namaskar with the moon meditation, where a person has to sit in a comfortable position, contemplate the qualities of the moon, visualise the full moon in the clear night sky and feel the same peace inside the body. “On the days when you feel depleted, over-stimulated or over-heated, certain sequences of Chandra Namaskar can help,” Rao smiles.
According to Rao, the right age to start yoga is around 12. Since it has become compulsory in most schools these days, children learn yoga when they’re five. “We have yoga for kids. It is fun and playful and we don’t look for perfection,” he adds.
He believes that yoga helps to control the mind which in turn controls the body. “It is important to practice yoga after you cross the age of 30, as your body loses energy and flexibility after that age. Yoga helps you to maintain that,” he avers.
A session on Chandra Namaskar will be held at 136.1 Yoga Studio,Anna Nagar, on May 10 from 6 pm.
For details, call 9962991361