Balancing the Energies of the Sun and Moon

Balance is essential to true health and wellness. Most of us spend our lives seeking balance. Both Yoga & Ayurveda have the concept of balancing out the energies of the Sun and the Moon. In fact, the word Hatha, as in Hatha Yoga, which encompasses all the physical practices of yoga is a compound word:

Ha = Sun  
Tha = Moon

Thus, Hatha Yoga means, “The union of the Sun and the Moon.” The right side of our body is the Sun Side. The Sun is nourishing, energizing and heating. It is associated with Archetypical Male energy (Shiva). The left side of our body is the Moon Side. The Moon is cooling, calming and relaxing. It is associated with Archetypical Female energy or (Shakti).  We have both archetypes within ourselves regardless of our gender identification.  

In Energetic Anatomy, our Pranamayakosha (energetic sheath/body) is comprised of 72,000 Nadis. Nadi means, “rivers” and are the channels which energy flows through. When you get Acupuncture or Marma Therapy the practitioner is working on freeing up any blocked Nadis so that your prana (life force) can flow. There are three main Nadis:

Ida = Left channel, the Moon.
Pinglala = Right channel, the Sun.
Sushuma = Central channel.

The Caduceus, the modern medical symbol of the two snakes around the staff was taken from ancient Yoga/Ayurveda’s map of these three main Nadis.

Many of the alternate nostril Pranayama(s) (Yogic Breathing Techniques) work with the Sun and Moon energies. Some of these breaths emphasize the Sun, some the Moon and some to balance the two. There are times when we need more Sun energy. For example, you are driving and falling asleep at the wheel. You could pull over and harness natural Solar Power with vigorous movement and/or a breath that increases the Sun. Sometimes, you cannot fall asleep. You need to call in the power of the Moon with relaxing pranayama.

I invite you to read this and then close your eyes (if it is safe to do so). Come to your breath and notice which nostril is more dilated. This dominance will generally change every couple of hours as we cycle between Solar and Lunar. To optimize digestion, your right nostril should be more dilated before eating. To get a good night’s sleep, your left nostril should be more dilated at bed time. I have many videos of these Pranayama(s) on my YouTube channel if you want to explore them.

What do you need?

What do you need in the moment to create balance? Do you need to shake off the lethargy or rest and recharge yourself? Yoga and Ayurveda gives us the tools to create balance but how do we know what we need? This is an important question that takes self-awareness. This is what we explore in our practice on the mat and off the mat.

 Visit my YouTube Channel for Pranayama(s) & Exercises