The Sanskrit word “ardha” means half, and the word “chandra” means “moon,” thus, this is the “half moon” posture.
Pronounced: ard-ha-chun-drah-sa-na
How to do Ardha Chandrasana
- Stand in the tada-asana (Stand with both feet touching from the heel to the big toe, keeping the back straight and the arms pressed slightly against the sides with palms facing inward.
- Bring the hands together at the chest with palms lightly pressed against each other (the Anjali-mudra).
- Inhale and raise the arms straight up keeping the palms pressed lightly together.
- Arch your body backwards keeping your arms alongside your neck and head, tilt the head backward and hold. Keep your knees straight while holding posture.
- Slowly return to the tada-asana.
Benefits
The ardha-chandra-asana is a basic stretching and balancing pose that benefits principly the lower back, abdomen and chest. It isequally suitable for use in your stretching routine as well as formal asana practice.
This pose is also one of the postures that are are sequenced in surya-namaskar (the Sun Salutation).
Repeat ardha-chandra-asana two to three times.
Contraindications
- Those with serious hip or spinal problems should avoid this asana as well as those with high blood pressure and brain ailments.
- Peptic or duodenal ulcers and hernia patients should avoid this pose.
- Pregnant woman should avoid this pose.
