The full moon is beautiful, but it can sometimes disrupt your sleep.
With a massive, glowing harvest moon set to light up your bedroom window today, Friday, September 29, it’ll be useful to have a few sleep tricks in your back pocket, such as the aptly named “moon breathing” technique.
Moon breathing, also known as chandra anga, is a yogic practice that involves breathing in through your left nostril while closing your right nostril. This type of breathwork helps to calm your body and mind by regulating your parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to relax and fall asleep.
This is useful whenever you need to sleep, but especially during a full moon. Full moons bring what is latent to the surface, so insomnia or a release of anxiety or emotion is not uncommon during the lunation.
Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health, and it will also help you make the most of the full moon’s energy. A full moon is the ideal time to let go of what no longer serves you, which is why it will feel especially good to rest, relax, and reset with some serious Zzzs… courtesy of some breathwork.
Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about moon breathing, including how to try it for yourself.
Why Does the Full Moon Have an Impact on Your Sleep?
If you’ve been having trouble falling asleep this week, you’re not alone. A full moon can disrupt your sleep for up to five days before it occurs. This is due, in part, to the appearance of extra moonlight, which can cause you to toss and turn and lose a few hours of sleep. However, a full moon can have an effect on how you feel.
The tides in the ocean are affected by the phases of the moon, and the same energy affects humans. Because the energies are out of sync, we may be a little more irritable during the full moon. This is why you may feel tense, irritable, or unable to sleep.
Today’s full moon has a particularly chaotic energy, which only adds to the overall feeling of sleeplessness. This full moon is at the final degree of the zodiac before becoming an eclipse. It’s the last moment before eclipse season, which is notorious for rapid shifts and change.
What Exactly Is Moon Breathing?
Moon breathing is a yogic technique that has been practiced for centuries. It is a breathing technique in which you only breathe through your left nostril and close off your right nostril, which helps you fall asleep faster and improves your overall sleep quality, noting that it can help combat the sleep disruption caused by the full moon.
This pranayama, or controlled breathing through your left nostril, not only makes you feel more centered and relaxed, but it also stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to “rest and digest.” The more you practice this type of breathing, the easier it will be to remain calm and relaxed.
It’s very similar to alternate nostril breathing, which is a type of pranayama. They differ slightly in that with alternate nostril breathing, you can pause your breath after exhaling and then continue the pattern of inhaling and exhaling through each nostril. In addition, you switch and exhale through your right nostril, whereas moon breathing is all about inhaling and exhaling through the left.
How to Perform Moon Breathing
This section explains how to do a moon breath. Try it before going to bed or whenever you need to unwind.
– Come to a seated or reclined position and close your eyes.
– Relax your shoulders down and away from your ears.
– Take in a deep breath.
– Fill your lungs and feel your chest expand.
– Use your right thumb to close off your right nostril.
– Rest your other fingers down the palm of your hand or extend the fourth and fifth fingers across your face.
– Repeat for a few minutes or until your mind has settled and you feel calmer and more relaxed.
This is a practice that anyone can do, even if they are feeling rushed or stressed during the day. If you choose to do this during the day, make sure you choose a comfortable and peaceful location where you can truly focus on your breathing and avoid distractions.
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