Arnelle Mitchell Warford, Astrologer
A lack of self-awareness fuels a life that feels robbed of meaning and purpose. Without it, we feel lost in life, going about our every day with no clear direction. This causes unnecessary stress and can even trigger an existential crisis.
Our AstroYoga method helps you awaken deeper self-awareness, so you can align with your highest self and consciously create your destiny. By following planetary transits and weaving them into a dedicated yoga practice, you not only gain clarity and confidence to reclaim your path—you also learn how to avoid negative karmic patterns and maximize good karma.
What inspired you to combine Vedic astrology with yoga to create AstroYoga?
AstroYoga may sound new and trendy—but in truth, the roots of combining astrology and yoga are as old as yoga itself. The word ‘AstroYoga’ is modern, but the wisdom is ancient. These days, many who call themselves AstroYoga teachers focus only on linking yoga poses with zodiac signs. In Vedic tradition, AstroYoga is considered a remedial measure—a way to align with planetary energies, soften the challenges of transits, and magnify the blessings. The sages even taught that by fully practicing the eight limbs of yoga, a person could transcend their karma entirely.
So AstroYoga is not just about matching poses to signs—it’s about using yoga as a cosmic tool to take ownership of your life, release negative karma, and consciously create positive karma for the future.
Were there specific experiences or insights that led you to develop this practice?
I first started teaching yoga as a way to help people manage stress and anxiety. Yoga was powerful, but I noticed it didn’t always answer the deeper questions people were asking—things like, What is my purpose? Why do I feel stuck? Where am I headed in life? That’s what led me to study Vedic astrology. I realized that while yoga brings healing to the body, mind, and spirit, astrology reveals the roadmap of the soul. When I brought them together, everything clicked. My approach to AstroYoga draws from their shared roots—blending the wisdom of the stars with the healing power of movement and breath—so people can not only calm their stress, but also find direction, clarity, and purpose. It’s a practice that truly resonates with the modern seeker.
In your experience, how does knowing someone’s astrological sign influence their approach to love and relationships?
Most people know their Sun sign, and while it does show a lot about your personality and life path, when it comes to love and relationships, it’s only the surface layer. To truly understand how you give and receive love, you need to look at your Venus and Moon signs as well.Your Venus sign speaks to your love language—what you’re drawn to, what you value in a partner, and how you express affection.Your Moon sign reveals your emotional world—what makes you feel safe, nurtured, and deeply connected. And of course, your Sun sign reflects your core essence, the energy you bring into a relationship.
When people align with these three signs together, they gain a more complete map of their heart. It’s like seeing both the conscious and subconscious patterns in love. This awareness can shift how you approach relationships—suddenly you see why certain dynamics repeat, or why you crave specific forms of connection.
How can yoga help individuals shift negative patterns in their relationships, especially if they feel stuck in cycles of karma or unresolved emotional baggage?
Yoga is one of the most powerful tools we have for transforming patterns in relationships because so often, the challenges we face in love aren’t really about the other person. They’re reflections of inner patterns we’re being invited to heal.
Through our physical yoga practice, we learn to pause, breathe, and become self-aware. But the physical practice of yoga is just the doorway. To truly shift negative cycles, it’s essential to live by the 8 Limbs of Yoga, which give us a complete path for both inner and outer harmony.
For example, principles like Ahimsa (non-harming), which softens criticism in love, and Santosha (contentment), which eases frustration or comparison. The practice of Pranayama helps calm anger and anxiety, while Dharana and Dhyana (concentration and meditation) keep us anchored in presence rather than lost in old emotional stories.
AstroYoga takes this a step further by connecting the astrological transits with the chakras. For instance, if a person’s relationship challenges stem from insecurity, I may also guide them to strengthen the Root Chakra through grounding poses. If the struggle is with self-expression in love, then we work with the Throat Chakra to clear communication. The beauty of AstroYoga is that it doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong—it gives you a direct practice to rewire it.
Saturn returns and Mercury retrograde are often seen as challenging periods in astrology. How can AstroYoga help people navigate these times with more ease and clarity?
Saturn Return and Mercury Retrograde are often described as challenging, but in truth, they are opportunities for deep growth. Saturn Return invites us to step into responsibility and authenticity, while Mercury Retrograde asks us to slow down, review, and realign.
AstroYoga helps people move through these periods with more clarity because it blends self-awareness with practical tools. For Saturn Return, I often focus on the Root Chakra—through grounding postures, meditation, and even diet to build stability and courage. We also lean into Saturn’s remedial measures, like practicing humility, consistency, and service. Simple acts such as helping the elderly, honoring commitments, or observing silence on Saturdays align us with Saturn’s higher teachings and can maximize the results of a Saturn Return.
For Mercury Retrograde, I guide people to strengthen the Throat Chakra with speaking, pranayama, and journaling. Mercury’s remedies include keeping the mind sharp and speech clear—so reading spiritual books or even offering kindness in communication can harmonize Mercury’s energy. Especially during Mercury retrogrades, you should consider completing projects that are incomplete.When we bring together yogic practices, remedial measures, and astrological insight, we stop fearing these transits. Instead, we experience them as sacred times of alignment. The challenges become teachers, showing us how to embody greater patience, clarity, and inner strength
Can you share a few specific yoga poses or practices that you recommend for people experiencing a Saturn return or going through a Mercury retrograde?
Saturn Return → Grounding practices: Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Malasana (Squat), Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) and long-held forward folds to connect to Root Chakra stability. Remedial practices include practicing Seva (selfless service), consistency in your routines, or dedicating time on Saturdays for grounding and reflection.
Mercury Retrograde → Throat chakra openers: Matsyasana (Fish Pose), Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) and Simhasana (Lion’s Breath) help clear communication blocks. Remedial practices include journaling daily reflections, to speak and listen with extra mindfulness, and wear calming colors like green or turquoise to harmonize communication energy.
How does the movement of the moon, particularly during the New Moon and Full Moon, influence our energies, and what role does yoga play in aligning with these phases?
The Moon is deeply connected to our emotions, intuition, and subconscious mind. Because it rules the tides, it also influences the waters within us: our moods, energy levels, and even our relationships.During the New Moon, energy turns inward—it’s a time for meditation, intention setting, and restorative practices aimed at creation and manifestation.During the Full Moon, energy peaks—we can channel it through more active flows, breathwork, and releasing rituals. Yoga aligns us with these natural tides so we stop resisting and start flowing.
In AstroYoga, we take it a step further by aligning lunar practices with the zodiac sign the Moon is moving through. For example, a New Moon in Virgo might call for grounding and Throat Chakra work, while a Full Moon in Pisces might invite heart-opening or creative flow.
What are some key physical or mental benefits people can experience from incorporating lunar-based yoga sequences into their routine?
When we align our yoga practice with the lunar cycles, we’re not just moving our bodies—we’re learning to live in harmony with the natural ebb and flow of energy. The Moon reminds us that life is cyclical: there is a time to rest, a time to act, a time to grow, and a time to release. Honoring and observing these phases through yoga helps us use our energy more wisely, instead of burning out or pushing against the current.
The key benefit is that lunar-based yoga reminds us we don’t have to operate at full speed all month long. Instead, we can honor our natural ebb and flow—learning when to rest, when to expand, and when to release. This alignment fosters resilience, self-awareness, and inner peace.
Are there specific astrological signs that benefit from certain types of yoga sequences or poses more than others?
Absolutely. In AstroYoga, each zodiac sign carries a unique energy, and every sign is also associated with a chakra and a specific part of the body. When we honor that connection, we discover that each sign has yoga poses that work especially well for balancing and strengthening its natural tendencies.Every sign benefits from the full spectrum of yoga, but when we align with the body part and chakra each sign governs, the practice feels deeply personal. It’s like tuning your body to your own astrological rhythm—supporting not just your health, but your cosmic alignment.
How does a person’s astrological chart influence their ideal yoga practice?
A person’s astrological chart is like a blueprint of their energy—it reveals their tendencies, challenges, and strengths on a mental, emotional, and physical level. That’s why before assigning an AstroYoga practice to a student, I review their natal chart, looking at dominant signs, planetary placements, and even their Ayurvedic doshas. This gives me a clear picture of what they truly need in their practice.
For example, someone with a lot of fiery placements, like Aries or Leo, might benefit from cooling, grounding practices that calm the nervous system and balance excess heat. A person with strong air energy, like Gemini or Aquarius, may thrive with practices that cultivate focus, stability, and Root Chakra grounding.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to both astrology and yoga and might be hesitant to combine the two practices?
I’d say: stay curious. You don’t need to know everything about astrology or be advanced in yoga to benefit from combining the two. That’s exactly why we offer The AstroYoga Experience—a beginner-friendly space with full astrological guidance. Even if you’re brand new to both yoga and astrology, you can begin right away and still feel the benefits in your body, mind, and daily life.
How can they start with AstroYoga in a simple, approachable way?
The best way to start with AstroYoga is to keep it simple and approachable. You don’t need to know your entire chart or have years of yoga experience—just begin with curiosity and a willingness to explore. One of the easiest entry points is to start your practice on my YouTube channel, Discover AstroYoga, where I share free classes designed for beginners. It’s a beautiful way to follow guided practices, feel supported, and begin noticing how aligning with the cosmos shifts your body, mind, and energy.
From there, you can gradually deepen your practice—exploring sequences that align with the astrological transits, or even your natal chart—whenever you’re ready to take the next step.
Can you walk us through a basic lunar yoga sequence for the New Moon or Full Moon?
New Moon Sequence (Rest, Intention, Renewal)
Typically, in AstroYoga we would also associate the elements of the Zodiac into the practice, but an example 15 - 20 min New Moon practice without a zodiac element can look like this.
Easy Seated Pose (Sukhasana) with Breath Awareness – 3 minutes
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on slow, deep breathing. With each inhale, invite calm; with each exhale, release old energy.
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana) – 1–2 minutes
A gentle fold over the legs calms the nervous system and encourages turning inward. Use a bolster or pillow under the knees if needed for comfort.
Cat-Cow (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) – 5–6 rounds
A gentle flow to awaken the spine and release stagnant lunar energy, preparing the body for stillness.
Child’s Pose (Balasana) – 2–3 minutes
Rest the forehead on the mat or a pillow. This posture grounds the mind and connects you with the Earth, enhancing a sense of safety and renewal.
Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) – 1 minute each side
Opens the hips and gently activates the sacral energy, making space for creative seeds to be planted.
Supine Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana) – 1–2 minutes each side
A detoxifying pose that clears out old energy, both physically and emotionally, making space for new beginnings.
Supported Savasana – 5 minutes
Lie on your back with a bolster or pillow under the knees. Place one hand on the heart and one on the belly. Breathe slowly and allow the body to deeply rest.
What should someone expect to feel during and after this practice?
During a New Moon practice, people often feel their energy soften and slow down. Because this sequence is gentle and restorative, it encourages you to turn inward. You may notice a sense of quiet introspection, or even emotions bubbling up as the body releases tension and the mind begins to settle. It’s very normal to feel calmer, more grounded, and more present as you move through each posture.
