DIY Full Moon Yoga Retreat
The full Moon is a time to reflect on things that are not serving us and let go of anything that holds us back. It’s a time of releasing thoughts, feelings, emotions, or relationships so that we can be the most complete version of ourselves.
Once you have let go of the things that you don’t need in your life, there is now space to set clear intentions for the next phase, or cycle of your life’s path. The DIY (Do It Yourself) Full Moon Yoga Retreat is a general plan with ideas and activities to do just that. Let go of the old, stuck energy, in order to make space for the new energetic light.
🤷♂️ What is significance behind the full moon?
The full Moon (or lunar phase cycle) happens once every 29.5 days or roughly once per month.
It occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and Sun, so it receives it’s glow from the Sun’s reflection of light.
The full Moon can create heighten or unsettle energy, and people may feel revved up without even realizing it.
The full Moon is also seen as a time to let go of anything that is holding you back or does not serve you well. The time to let go of what no longer serves you physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. This is because the full Moon phase of the lunar cycle is the end, when it begins again to move back to the new moon phase, the beginning.
🤔 What are Intentions?
Intentions are not goals or resolutions.
Intentions are statements that we set, refer back to, and change as we go.
Intentions are fluid and flowing.
Setting intentions means to have a plan, a purpose, a focus. They may not turn out as you think, but intentions will come around and bring growth and change they way you need them to. Releasing, letting go, or ending can be the intention of your DIY Full Moon Yoga Retreat.
🌕 How do I create my own DIY Full Moon Yoga Retreat?
Creating you own full moon yoga retreat can be done in your own home, or going to another place to truly get away from it all.
If you are able to be in your own home, alone or with a friend, that’s always a comfortable (and affordable) place to be.
As long as there are not too many distractions from the resting and relaxing intention of the retreat.
I practice DIY Full Moon Retreats at my own home for one day, or a whole weekend!
📝 Here is a list of things you will need/do:
✅ Moon Salutations! - In yoga, t
he moon, lunar energy and the left side of the body is considered feminine. Feminine energy is slow, cool, relaxing, more flowing.
Full Moons are a time to embrace the slow, calming and more restful energy.
Begin in Mountain Pose
Extended Mountain
Crescent Moon both sides
Goddess Pose
Star Pose
Triangle Pose
Folded Triangle
Low Lunge
Half Squat
Squat
Half Squat
Low Lunge
Folded Triangle
Triangle
Star Pose
Goddess Pose
Crescent Moon Pose both sides
Here is the Moon Salutation Practice in action by my dear friend and collogue Miranda Peterson Harton, owner and founder of Namaste in Nature.
✅ Sun Salutations! - In yoga, the sun, solar energy and the right side of the body is considered masculine. Masculine energy is fast, warm, energizing, more disciplined. Full Moons are a time to embrace more feminine energy for both men and women.
Mountain Pose
Extended Mountain (Breathe in)
Forward Fold (Breathe out)
Step Right Leg Back
Plank Pose
Lower to the ground
Cobra
Downward Facing Dog
Step Right Leg up
Forward Fold
Extended Mountain
Mountain Pose
✅ Journal - or notebook. Just something to write down your answers to the prompts, and thoughts, feelings and emotions that arise during the retreat.
Journal Prompts - These prompts will guide you to find parts of yourself that might be hidden so that they can be in the light. Learn more here.
In the past month, what or who has taken up most of my time and energy?
What, or who, do I need to let go of to be the most complete version of myself?
Are there parts of yourself that you hide from the outside world? If so, what are these?
Why do you keep them hidden?
What are some ways in which I can begin to accept all of me?
✅ Full Moon Yoga Nidra - This 30 minute yoga nidra is one of my favorites! I listen to it almost every full moon when I have trouble sleeping. My very dear friend and colleague guides the yoga nidra, she is wonderful.
✅ Deep Tension Release - A deep tension release is a way to let go of the stress of the day and become relaxed and ready for sleep. This is a 12 minute guided relaxation practice. It can be practiced before bed as a way to bring better sleep, or any time of day when feeling tense.
✅ Yoga with Ms. Brandon Meditation and Relaxation Practices podcast for any other practice you may like to try out during the retreat.
✅ Inspirational/favorite books - your choice! Read an inspirational book, or a fun “beach book.” Here are a few books I have read that have brought guidance and inspiration:
The Four Agreements: A Practical to Person Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Han
The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chodron
Healthy Food & Snacks - Prepare a few yummy dishes to eat during the retreat. Here is one of my favorite dishes for retreat weekends. Click here for full recipe and more yummy salads to prepare
Lentil Salad:
Lentils
Kalamata olives
Cherry/grape tomatoes
Kale
Cucumbers
Dill
Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil
Salt & Pepper
✅ Other Retreat Activities
Vision Board - Put the intention to action with a vision board of all the things you want to manifest.
Art/Craft Supplies to create - Feeling artsy? Take time to create something.
Puzzles
Music
✅ Exercise - Go for a walk, run, bike ride, hike, paddle, anything outdoors. Here I am paddleboarding on Lake Lure in North Carolina. One of my favorite yoga retreat activities!
Paddle Boarding on Lake Lure
📆 Schedule
The DIY Full Moon Yoga Retreat can be a one day event, or an evening/whole day/ morning celebration. No technology (use this time to “retreat” from the outside world and go within) The times can be based on your own routine, there is space to be flexible. Here is a general schedule to use as a guideline when setting up your retreat:
Day/Evening before the Full Moon:
Begin by gathering all the supplies you will need, going shopping and prepare for this time. *Optional: turn off the cell phone. Tell your friends you will be unavailable for a short time.
6pm - 7pm: Dinner Time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm-8pm: Journal Time - use the journal prompts and choose one, two or three to focus on this evening. This sets the intention for the retreat.
8pm until bedtime: Free Time - Read, relax, or listen to the 30 minute Full Moon Yoga Nidra to prepare for bed.
Day of the Full Moon
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is a retreat weekend, so taking rest is important and encouraged.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice - Sit and practice one of the meditation practices, or practice your own.
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - use this time to do any of the things on the list. For example: Go for a walk, create art, start a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
1pm - until dinner: MORE Free Time - continue resting, relaxing and going with the flow. Have you taken a nap yet? Try that, it’s lovely and good for the soul.
Before Dinner: Meditation Practice
6pm - 7pm: Dinner time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm - 8pm: Journal time - choose a few more prompts to write about, or continue the relaxing Free Time activities.
8pm until Bed: Free Time - Listen to the Deep Tension Release, or any other relaxation practice. Also…YOU CAN GO TO BED EARLY. 😊
Morning After the Full Moon
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is the last day of the retreat weekend.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - You may be ready to end this retreat time, and that’s okay. End the retreat when you are ready. If not, feel free to keep it going with more of the free time activities: Go for a walk, create art, start a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
💖 AND, you are done!!
How do you feel?? Keep your journal, journaling and intentions to refer back to through out the full Moon cycle. I like to review my intentions each full Moon to see how they are growing and changing. I also like to have mini, one day or half day DIY Full and New Moon Yoga Retreats each month as time allows.
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for the kids yoga blog comes from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.
