Behind the Moon

Ebb and flow, the dark and the light... body and mind. Luna Vinyasa, represents the linkages between these states of being. Luna, derived from the Latin, meaning moon; Vinyasa, Sanskrit describing the linkage of movement and breath. The cycle of each day is light followed by dark. From the first blush of dawn, until the last burst of the sun as it sets, we entertain light. To shine on our own, to come into our power is the ability to carry light into the darkness.  

Yoga offers the a vehicle to better know ourselves. To find the calm, peace, and serenity within each of us. Yoga can help us find our inner light and intuitive powers allowing us to make mindful choices from the heart.

The moon is also associated with clairvoyance and knowing without thinking. Using the energy of the moon does not involve conscious thought. Association with the symbol of the moon represents a universal intention to use your intuition, to simply go with what you feel, and to know that to do this is, for the greater good.  To go with the flow.

Hatha is the physical yoga practice. The word Hatha is defined as willful or forceful, referring to a set of physical exercises known as asanas or postures. Sequences of asanas are designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also intended to open the many channels of the body especially the main channel, the spine, for that energy (prana life force) to flow freely.

Hatha is also translated as HA meaning "sun" and THA meaning "moon." Hatha refers to the balance of dynamic masculine aspects (fire, sunshine, rigidity) and static feminine aspects (water, shade, yielding) within all of us. Hatha yoga creates a path toward balance and uniting opposites.  Within our physical bodies, we can develop a balance between strength and flexibility, effort and surrender in each pose (sitira and souka).

Our icon and sculpture is The Man in the Moon, sculpture was created by Morteza Khakshoor (www.mortezakhakshoor.com), a sculptor who graduated from Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Old Lyme, CT. Designed to be an interactive piece, it represents the concept of the paper moon photography from the turn of the century. Morteza's piece was the inspiration for our current logo created by Aaron Diamond (www.paperdiamond.net).

Long before Instagram, photo booths or even the common ownership of a camera, you could get your photograph picture taken sitting on the moon. Often a fixture at fairs, parties and carnivals, people sat in the crescent of a smiling “paper moon,” as if lifted to the stars. A photographic phenomena primarily of the early half of the 20th century, Paper Moon photography captivated the imagination of a world pre-Photoshop and gave many a memorable image of great times.

The Moon or THA of Hatha was chosen to depict the feminine. The use of a masculine face on the piece was intentional and is intended to bring in balance between the feminine and masculine. The symbolism of a receptive cool moon is balanced by our use of warm fiery colors. This logo means to represent our true intuitive nature and to represent the sense of balance in our lives and in all our yoga postures.