Full Blood Worm Moon 2026

Full Moon Yoga on Tybee Island, Ga

🌕 Full Worm Moon — A Practice of Less Doing

Dear Yogis,

Tonight is the Full Blood Moon — the Full Worm Moon — and I had every intention of gathering with you on the beach to practice under its glow.

But I’m listening closely to my body right now… and truthfully, I’m too physically tired to teach tonight.

Illness has a way of humbling us. It reminds us that movement for the sake of movement is not always what we need. Sometimes what we need is less doing. Less pushing. More listening.

And that feels very aligned with this moon.

The Full Worm Moon traditionally signifies the thawing of the earth. The worms begin to surface as the ground softens. It represents emergence — but not force. It represents the quiet shift from dormancy into renewal. A gentle return.

That feels right.

So instead of a strong beach flow tonight, I invite you into something softer.

🌬 Pranayama — More Than Breath Work

Pranayama is often translated simply as “breath work,” but that is only part of the story.

Prana = life force energy
Ayama = expansion or regulation

Pranayama is the regulation and expansion of life force through the breath.

It is not just inhaling and exhaling.

It is learning to understand the breath as energy — as nourishment — as food for the body.

The breath feeds every cell.
It feeds the nervous system.
It feeds the mind.

When we manipulate the breath, we are not just moving air — we are guiding energy.

Tonight, instead of strong movement, I invite you into mindful movement with breath… and then into stillness.

🌬 Why Dirgha Breath Cools the Nervous System

Dirgha (Three-Part Breath) gently activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and restore” branch of our autonomic system. By breathing slowly and fully into the belly first, we stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps lower heart rate, reduce cortisol, and signal safety to the body. The gradual expansion through the ribs and chest encourages fuller oxygen exchange while slowing the respiratory rate. When the exhale is unforced and complete, it lengthens the relaxation response even further. This is why Dirgha feels cooling — not because it lowers temperature dramatically, but because it softens internal stress, quiets the mind, and regulates energy rather than stimulating it.

🌊 Simple Full Moon Practice (At Home or On the Beach)

Keep it gentle. Gentle Caution

While Dirgha breath is generally safe and supportive, move slowly and avoid forcing the inhale or exhale. If you experience dizziness, anxiety, shortness of breath, or discomfort, return to your natural breath. Those with respiratory conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, recent abdominal surgery, or pregnancy should keep the breath soft and consult a healthcare provider if unsure. The goal is regulation — not control.

1. Sit in a Tripod Base

Sit comfortably. Try keeping hips elevated above the knees.
Cross-legged or kneeling.
Both sit bones grounded.
Hands resting lightly on the knees.

Feel stable. Rooted. Supported.

2. Gentle Spinal Movement

Slow seated circles.
Cat/Cow in a seated position.
Nothing forced.
Just awakening the spine.

3. Dirgha Breath (Three-Part Breath)

This is my favorite cooling pranayama.

Inhale slowly:

• First into the belly

• Then into the rib cage

• Then into the upper chest

Exhale slowly:

• Upper chest softens

• Ribs draw inward

• Belly gently releases

Move slowly.
No strain.
No breath retention tonight.

Imagine the breath as moonlight entering the body.

Do this pranayama as many times as you’d like to. If this is your first time try doing 10 rounds. When you are finished listen out for any of the effects of Dirge breath. They may be very subtle, you may feel nothing at all and that’s ok too, just listen.

🌕 Let the Moon Do the Work

The Full Worm Moon reminds us that growth does not come from force.

It comes from softening.

From listening.

From allowing the ground to thaw.

If you feel called, step outside tonight. Sit under the moon. Practice your three-part breath. Let it be enough.

We don’t always need a full class to be in practice.

Sometimes the deepest yoga is knowing when to pause.

I’ll be resting tonight — and honoring the life force that moves through me in quieter ways.

May you do the same.

With love,
Laurie 🌊