Get strong and shine on; in the Half Moon Yoga Pose.
Ardha Chandrasana is a challenging asana but as anything, more you practice with focus and using awareness breaths throughout, easier it gets. The pose strengthens the legs and ankles, thighs, buttocks, spine and abdomen. Improves coordination and sense of balance. And, helps to relieve the stress and improves digestions.
Half Moon pose, I would usually recommend to practice somewhere half way in the middle of a practice. After your warming up sequences and standing poses e.g. Warriors and Trikonasana.
So let’s get you prep and up for the Half Moon.
How to use Yoga Cork Block to perform Half Moon Yoga Pose or Ardha Chandrasana
Perform Triangle pose first on both sides and after come back with your torso and arms parallel to the floor.
Prepare your block about 5-6inch in front of your left foot ( as on the pic ) aligned with your big toe. Inhale and bend your left knee. As you exhale lift the right leg from the floor and start lifting so is parallel to the floor. Extend actively through your right heel to keep your leg strong. Keeping your kneecap aligned straight so there is no inward rotation of the knee. Don’t lock your knee, keep it strong but don’t hyperextend either. Simultaneously left hand reaching toward your block.
There is no rush to do this pose in stages. So inhale and exhale and stay where you are for now. Deep inhale again, as you exhale start rotating your torso towards the right and maybe keep your right hand on to your right hip. Your right foot is flexed and facing forward. Lift your inner ankle strongly facing upward and draw your energy from the floor to the standing groin. Press firmly on to your left foot, lift towards the ceiling. Lift your right arm towards the sky, gaze towards your right fingers. If there is any tension in your neck, gaze forward. Stay there for 3-5 breaths and repeat on to the other leg.
Be careful if you suffer with headaches, fatigue, osteoporosis, sciatica, backache or indigestion. Get in touch if you feel you might benefit with One to One personal approach.
Additionally, if you are interested in 2-hour workshop where we take our practice deeper and explore more variations of poses and, focus on certain topic for a couple of hours, future autumn workshops might be just something be of interest to you. Click here to see which of the upcoming workshops appeal to you more.
Enjoy Yoga Prop of the Month blog and, see you next month for more…
Love with a lots of light, ( and, still shining )
Julia xx