The above picture depicts the full posture of Ardha Chandrasana demonstrated professionally.
Photo credit to http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784
Monday, November 16, 2009
Full Pose Demonstrated Professioinally
The above picture depicts the full posture of Ardha Chandrasana demonstrated professionally.
Photo credit to http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784
Benefits and Effects of this Asana
This posture is known to strengthen the ankles, hips, abdomen, spine, and thighs as well as improving balance and coordination. Ardha Chandrasana also stretches much of the body, including the shoulders and chest, and helps improve digestion and release stress. It can help relive anxiety and fatigue and alleviate the pain of backache.
Sources
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784
http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/ardhachandrasan.htm
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/half-moon-pose.asp
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494
http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/ardhachandrasan.htm
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/half-moon-pose.asp
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494
Awareness: How I Feel in this Pose
When performing this pose, I feel very strong and in control. This asana helps me work on balance and alignment in my body. Also, if I sleep strangely and my back hurts, I find that this posture is helpful in relieving the pain.
How to Perform this Pose
Ardha Chandrasana is often performed as an extension of the posture Utthita Trikonasana. My procedure steps are going to assume that you are starting in this way.
Steps:
1. Start in Utthita Trikonasana on the right side.
2. Place your left hand on your left hip and use it to rotate your hip to make sure that your heart's center remains open. Inhale, slightly bending your right knee, and slide your left foot between about six and twelve inches closer to your right foot. At the same time, slide your right hand forwards at least a foot, keeping it to the right of your right pinky toe.
3. Next, straighten your right leg and arm, pressing them firmly into the ground, creating a strong foundation to help you maintain your balance in this pose. This action should cause your left leg to rise up until it is parallel to the ground and in line with the rest of your body. Keep your head in line with your spine, do not let it hang.
4. Stack your left hip above your right hip. Flex your left foot. Activate both of your legs by lifting the quadriceps, making sure that your right kneecap hasn't rotated inward. It should remain in line with the second toe of your right foot. Keeping both legs strong is very important in this pose.
5. If unsteady, keep your left hand placed on your hip. If balanced, raise the left arm straight up in the air, in line with the right arm, and turn your gaze to look up at your fingertips. Keep the heart's center open and remain in the position for between thirty seconds and one minute.
6. Repeat on the other side.
Steps:
1. Start in Utthita Trikonasana on the right side.
2. Place your left hand on your left hip and use it to rotate your hip to make sure that your heart's center remains open. Inhale, slightly bending your right knee, and slide your left foot between about six and twelve inches closer to your right foot. At the same time, slide your right hand forwards at least a foot, keeping it to the right of your right pinky toe.
3. Next, straighten your right leg and arm, pressing them firmly into the ground, creating a strong foundation to help you maintain your balance in this pose. This action should cause your left leg to rise up until it is parallel to the ground and in line with the rest of your body. Keep your head in line with your spine, do not let it hang.
4. Stack your left hip above your right hip. Flex your left foot. Activate both of your legs by lifting the quadriceps, making sure that your right kneecap hasn't rotated inward. It should remain in line with the second toe of your right foot. Keeping both legs strong is very important in this pose.
5. If unsteady, keep your left hand placed on your hip. If balanced, raise the left arm straight up in the air, in line with the right arm, and turn your gaze to look up at your fingertips. Keep the heart's center open and remain in the position for between thirty seconds and one minute.
6. Repeat on the other side.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Half Moon Pose
This is an image of a woman demonstrating Ardha Chandrasana using a block as a place to put her hand. The full posture is to place the hand on the ground with no assistance from props.
Picture credit to: http://whatsthatpose.blogspot.com/2008/09/ardha-chandrasana.html
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Ardha Chandrasana
The sanskrit name Ardha Chandrasana is translated to mean Half Moon Pose. Ardha means half and Chandra means moon. Asana simply refers to the fact that it is a posture.
'(are-dah chan-DRAHS-anna)
ardha = half
candra = glittering, shining, having the brilliancy or hue of light (said of the gods); usually translated as "moon" '
quote taken directly from http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784
My translation was aided by : http://spokensanskrit.de/
'(are-dah chan-DRAHS-anna)
ardha = half
candra = glittering, shining, having the brilliancy or hue of light (said of the gods); usually translated as "moon" '
quote taken directly from http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784
My translation was aided by : http://spokensanskrit.de/
Yoga Project Summary
This blog, to be completed as part of yoga class, will focus on the asana Ardha Chandrasana.
The above photo was taken from http://mycitylibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/woman_doing_yoga2.jpg