Yogkala

Everything You Need To Know About Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

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The term ‘YOGA’ is an incredible blend of several amazing yoga asanas and Ardha Chandrasana Or Half Moon Pose is one of them. Ardha Chandrasana is a Sanskrit word in which “Ardha” stands for “Half” and “Chandra” stands for “Moon”. Sun and Moon are the two powerful symbolisms and imperative sources of polar energy that hold a great place in Yoga mythology.

Ardha Chandrasana is another impactful yoga asana that emphasizes on the energy of human anatomy. It is a great standing balance which strengthens and transforms the whole body. This is a graceful pose that reflects the image of half moon and that’s why it is known as “Half Moon Pose”.

Things To Know Before You Practice This Asana

Ardha Chandrasana should be performed on an empty stomach only. Don’t ever try to practice it just after your meals, let your food digest. Ideally, you should have your meals at least four to six hours before the practice.

How To Practice Ardha Chandrasana Or Half Moon Pose?

How To Practice Ardha Chandrasana Or Half Moon Pose?

  1. Start with Triangle Pose or Trikonasana. Now, gently bend your right knee and place your left hand to your hip.
  2. Take your right hand to the floor in front of your right foot. Keep your hand under your shoulder while doing this. Now, in order to fix the accurate position, place your foot in front of your right foot.
  3. Lift your left foot off the floor and align your right leg simultaneously. Keep your left leg as straight as possible.
  4. Now gradually open your hips, arrange the left hip point on top of the right hip point.
  5. Keep your left leg straight and make sure it is parallel to the floor. Bend your left foot strongly with the toes pointing towards the left side.
  6. Wait for a while in the position and when you feel like you can balance your weight on the right leg, gently move your left arm towards the roof, open your chest and make a straight line by using your right and left arms perpendicular to the floor.
  7. Lastly, turn your head so that your gaze is toward your left, balancing the whole body on left fingertips.
  8. Inhale and exhale while moving your body parts. Hold the pose for at least 30 seconds and then slowly release it and repeat the pose on the other side.

Precautions And Contraindications

Here are some points of caution you should keep in mind prior to practice this asana:

  • People who are suffering from neck problems should not look upwards. They should gaze straight, keeping their neck long.
  • People who are suffering from diarrhea, insomnia, low blood pressure, migraines or headaches should completely avoid this asana

Beginner’s Tips To Practice Half Moon Pose

Yoga is a great activity to pursue but if you are a beginner, then you need to take care of some important points. Beginners may find it difficult to touch the floor with lower hand. In that situation, don’t push your body to form the posture, rather use a block for help. In the initial days, you can start with the biggest size of the block and then you can slowly decrease the size of the block and then try to do it without block when your body feels comfortable.

Advanced Pose Variations

Once you have learned this asana properly and have mastered, then you can try hands on the advance and deep version of the half moon pose. Make a final pose of Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) and just make sure that your arm is perpendicular to the floor. Now to jump into the advanced version, you need to imagine a wall in front and just place your hand virtually on it. Once you successfully balance the position, rotate your head and look up at the raised hand.

If you want to make this asana even tougher, you can put the lower hand on your thigh of the standing leg. Now balance yourself and hold this pose for at least 30 seconds and then release.

Primary Advantages Of Practicing Ardha Chandrasana

Here are some wonderful benefits you can get by practicing Ardha Chakrasana:

  • Regular practicing this asana makes your thighs, ankles, buttocks, abdomen, and spine stronger day by day
  • By performing Ardha Chandrasana, your body parts including hamstrings, calves, chest, shoulders, spine, and groin will get a good stretch
  • Ardha Chandrasana promotes a sense of coordination and improves concentration
  • If you are someone dealing with stress, then you can practice this asana
  • Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose also helps to improve digestion as well
  • It also treats menstrual disorders, relieves leg pain and also reduces the lower back problems

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