Yoga Asana of the day: Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)
Illustration by @Rroco88 (click to enlarge)
For those with less experience:
You can do this against a wall, keeping your hip of the balancing leg gently pressing into the wall. You can also use a block or large book to place your hand upon, until you are able to reach the floor.
Stand against a wall, with your right hip/buttock touching the wall, face out by 45 degrees, with your right foot parallel to the wall but approximately 3-6 inches out (depending on the size of your hips and thighs, adjust to your comfort). Slide your right shoulder and arm down while keeping your torso straight; press the outside of your forearm into the wall for added support. Simultaneously lift your left leg keeping it in a line with your torso, reach your right arm down, touch the block or the floor with your right fingertips until you are able to reach with your palm, but do not place any bodyweight onto your hand, it is only there for balance.
Feel your left leg engaged, use your left hip to keep the leg horizontal. Left arm can be against your side with the hand on hip or thigh, or lift it upwards. Keep your back straight, chest open, and lifted leg stretched straight. Your weight should be fully on your balancing foot (the foot that is on the ground).
Stay for as long as is comfortable, then exhale and stand up again. Repeat on the other side.
For those with more experience:
You can get into this pose from triangle pose (Trikonasana) by bending the knee of the front leg and shifting your weight onto it as you move your hand about 12 inches forward in line with your front foot, straightening the front leg as you lift the back leg up. You can place the top arm against your body so the hand is on your hip, and then when balance is comfortable, raise your hand upwards as in the illustration. The hand that is on the floor is only for balance, do not place your bodyweight on it.
To get out of the pose, you can reverse your movements back into Trikonasana then stand up; repeat on the other side.
Benefits: This pose is very healthy for the lower spine, and for the nerves connecting to the leg muscles. As this pose is so different from the usual movements we do in our day, you might feel exhilarated upon coming out of the pose.
Illustration by @Rroco88 (click to enlarge)
For those with less experience:
You can do this against a wall, keeping your hip of the balancing leg gently pressing into the wall. You can also use a block or large book to place your hand upon, until you are able to reach the floor.
Stand against a wall, with your right hip/buttock touching the wall, face out by 45 degrees, with your right foot parallel to the wall but approximately 3-6 inches out (depending on the size of your hips and thighs, adjust to your comfort). Slide your right shoulder and arm down while keeping your torso straight; press the outside of your forearm into the wall for added support. Simultaneously lift your left leg keeping it in a line with your torso, reach your right arm down, touch the block or the floor with your right fingertips until you are able to reach with your palm, but do not place any bodyweight onto your hand, it is only there for balance.
Feel your left leg engaged, use your left hip to keep the leg horizontal. Left arm can be against your side with the hand on hip or thigh, or lift it upwards. Keep your back straight, chest open, and lifted leg stretched straight. Your weight should be fully on your balancing foot (the foot that is on the ground).
Stay for as long as is comfortable, then exhale and stand up again. Repeat on the other side.
For those with more experience:
You can get into this pose from triangle pose (Trikonasana) by bending the knee of the front leg and shifting your weight onto it as you move your hand about 12 inches forward in line with your front foot, straightening the front leg as you lift the back leg up. You can place the top arm against your body so the hand is on your hip, and then when balance is comfortable, raise your hand upwards as in the illustration. The hand that is on the floor is only for balance, do not place your bodyweight on it.
To get out of the pose, you can reverse your movements back into Trikonasana then stand up; repeat on the other side.
Benefits: This pose is very healthy for the lower spine, and for the nerves connecting to the leg muscles. As this pose is so different from the usual movements we do in our day, you might feel exhilarated upon coming out of the pose.