Half moon pose

Half moon pose is a balancing intermediate pose for yogis. It is known as Ardha Chandrasana Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) (are-dah chan-DRAHS-ana)  ardha = half chandra = Moon

Benefits of Half moon pose are several as it involves entire body as well as mind focusing.  

•Strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks, and elongates the spine

•Stretches hamstrings and calves

•Opens the shoulders and chest

•Helps to relieve stress and anxiety

•By toning lumbar and sacral part it helps relieves backache

•Relieves fatigue, indigestion, menstrual pain and improves digestion.

•Improves blood circulation in the body

•Improves coordination & balance

Contraindications:

•Chronic fatigue syndrome or tiredness, strain on eyes

• For those who suffer from hypertension- should not look at raised hand. Instead focus front or look straight ahead.

•Aligning neck with back is important or else it can result in strain on neck.

How to perform Half moon pose? One can use block to help in balancing the body.

1. Start the pose with traiangle or trikonasana pose.

2. If you are using block, then bring block forward on the floor, placing the inner edge about 12 inches in front of the pinky-toe.

3. Focus straight and exhale, Straighten the standing leg as you raise the back leg to hip level. Inhale, lengthen the heart forward as you open and stack the hips one on top of the other. Don’t lock the standing knee. Have slight bent in the standing knee.

4. Open the chest to side wall. If you need more challenge, extend the top arm to celling and slowly turn gaze towards extended hand.

5. Imagine energy flow from the arch of standing foot that moves along the standing leg, groin, abdomen, chest and inner eye. Lengthen from top of the crown to back extended heel.

6. After 3 to 5 breahts, exhale and lower the legs. To acquire normal position (thadasana), come out of the half moon shape and slowly bring the legs to normal position.

Modifications: Using prop in yoga is for achieving balance as well as to get familiar with new poses. Use block if you are new to Half-moon pose or yoga poses. Use a wall and slowly strengthen and stretch the leg parallel to the floor. Using wall is a good idea for yogis who have hard time to get into balancing poses. Pressure of the raised heel against wall with help to maintain balance.  If you are looking for some more challenge, then raise the lower hand away from floor and rest it on the thigh.

Image credit: Photo by Alexy Almond from Pexels (Free for commercial use)