The Strawberry Moon – Harvesting Joy and Abundance

The Strawberry Moon, which typically occurs in June, is named after the time of year when wild strawberries are ready to be harvested. This full moon is a celebration of abundance, joy, and the sweetness of life. It symbolizes the fruition of intentions and the harvesting of what has been sown in previous months. In your yoga practice, the Strawberry Moon invites you to focus on joy, gratitude, and the bountiful gifts of life.

Understanding the Strawberry Moon’s Energies

The Strawberry Moon is a time to celebrate the abundance that surrounds us. It’s a period when the fruits of our labor are ripe for the picking, both literally and metaphorically. This full moon encourages us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the joy and prosperity that life offers. The energy of the Strawberry Moon is sweet, vibrant, and celebratory. It’s about acknowledging the rewards of hard work and enjoying the fruits of your efforts.

In your yoga practice, this energy can be channeled through poses that promote joy, lightness, and gratitude. It’s a time to connect with your inner sense of happiness, to celebrate your accomplishments, and to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all that you have.

Creating a Strawberry Moon Yoga Practice

A yoga practice aligned with the Strawberry Moon should focus on cultivating joy, celebrating abundance, and fostering gratitude. Here’s a sequence that reflects these themes:

1. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) (10 minutes):

Begin your practice with several rounds of Sun Salutations. This dynamic sequence of poses helps to awaken the body, warm the muscles, and bring a sense of vitality and joy. As you move through the sequence, focus on the feeling of lightness and energy within your body. Visualize the warmth of the sun nourishing you, just as it nourishes the earth and helps the strawberries to ripen.

2. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) (5 minutes):

Warrior II is a powerful pose that promotes strength, stability, and focus. Stand with your legs wide apart, turn one foot out, and bend the front knee to form a lunge. Extend your arms out to the sides, gaze over your front hand, and ground yourself in the present moment. This pose helps you to feel strong and centered, ready to harvest the abundance that surrounds you. As you hold the pose, reflect on your journey, the work you’ve done, and the rewards you’re beginning to reap. Repeat on the other side.

3. Dancer’s Pose (Natarajasana) (5 minutes):

Dancer’s Pose is a graceful balance pose that embodies joy, lightness, and celebration. Stand on one leg, bend the opposite knee, and reach back to grasp your ankle. As you kick your foot into your hand, extend your other arm forward and lift your chest. This pose is both challenging and uplifting, encouraging you to find balance while celebrating your strength and grace. As you hold the pose, focus on the feeling of joy and abundance within you. Repeat on the other side.

4. Camel Pose (Ustrasana) (5 minutes):

Camel Pose is a deep heart-opening backbend that promotes openness, vulnerability, and joy. From a kneeling position, place your hands on your lower back and gently arch your spine, lifting your chest towards the sky. This pose helps to release any emotional blockages and to open your heart to the joy and abundance that life offers. As you hold the pose, focus on the feeling of expansion in your chest and the lightness in your heart.

5. Child’s Pose (Balasana) (5 minutes):

After the intensity of Camel Pose, come into Child’s Pose to rest and reflect. Sit back on your heels, fold forward, and rest your forehead on the mat. Extend your arms forward or let them rest alongside your body. This pose is deeply restorative and encourages introspection and gratitude. Use this time to connect with your breath and to cultivate a sense of peace and contentment.

6. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana) (5 minutes):

Seated Forward Fold is a calming pose that encourages introspection and gratitude. Sit with your legs extended straight in front of you, inhale to lengthen your spine, and exhale as you fold forward, reaching for your feet or shins. This pose helps to calm the mind, release tension in the back and hamstrings, and promote mental clarity. As you hold the pose, focus on all that you have to be grateful for, and allow yourself to feel the sweetness of life’s blessings.

7. Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) (10 minutes):

End your practice with a long, restorative Reclined Bound Angle Pose. Lie on your back, bend your knees, and bring the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to fall open. Rest your arms at your sides, and close your eyes. This pose is deeply relaxing and allows you to fully absorb the energy of your practice. As you hold the pose, focus on the abundance and joy in your life, and cultivate a deep sense of gratitude.

Journaling and Reflection

After your practice, take some time to journal about the abundance in your life. Reflect on what you’ve harvested this year—whether it’s accomplishments, personal growth, or relationships—and express gratitude for these blessings. The Strawberry Moon is a time to celebrate your achievements and to acknowledge the richness of your life.

 

The Strawberry Moon is a time of joy, abundance, and gratitude. By aligning your yoga practice with the energies of this full moon, you can cultivate a sense of lightness, celebration, and deep appreciation for the blessings in your life. Embrace the sweetness of this time, knowing that you have worked hard to create the abundance you’re now experiencing. Celebrate your journey, enjoy the fruits of your labor, and savor the joy that the Strawberry Moon brings.