Ardha Chandrasana

Half Moon Pose

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Half Moon Pose demonstrated on a yoga mat
Right-side demonstration

How to do Half Moon Pose

  1. Bend your right knee and reach your right hand ahead of your right foot.
  2. Place your right fingertips slightly outside your right foot's line for support.
  3. Shift onto your right foot and lift your left leg behind you.
  4. Bring your left leg toward hip height without tipping your chest toward the floor.
  5. Keep your chest facing the side and your left hip above your right.
  6. Lengthen your right leg without locking your right knee.
  7. Firm your abdomen to keep your trunk steady as your left leg reaches back.
  8. Keep your gaze on the floor to reduce head movement while balancing.
  9. Bend your right knee and lower your left foot behind you with control.

Benefits

Half moon is practice in finding balance with a much smaller base beneath you. The effort reaches right down into your standing ankle and foot.

Further reading: Half-Moon Pose

Variations

Place your right hand on a stable block to give your torso more room.