Yoga Pose:
Ardha Chandrasana
Important Note
Take special precautions while doing any asana. If you are learning yoga, then take the advice of a knowledgeable person. Do not put any kind of force in the event of pain or unable to do so. Keep in mind that you will be able to succeed only with constant practice.
Brief Introduction Of The Ardha Chandrasana
In Yoga, the moon is highly symbolic. The moon and the sun symbolize the polar energies of the anatomy of human beings. In Hatha Yoga, solar energies are represented by “Ha”, and lunar energies are represented by the syllable “tha”. Ardha Chandrasana, or the ‘Half Moon Pose’, is said to help channelize the lunar energies of the body. The shape taken by the human body during this pose is also the same as the half moon. This very graceful posture is supposed to strengthen the body, as well as improve overall well-being in many other ways.
How To Do The Ardha Chandrasana?
- Begin by performing the Trikonasana on the right side of your body.
- Put your left hand over the corresponding hip.
- Breathe in and bend the right knee. Move the right foot forward by around 12 inches. While doing it, try to move the right hand ahead. Put it beyond the right toes.
- Breathe out and move the right hand to the surface of the floor. Press down. Straighten your right leg. While doing that, lift off the left leg from the floor. Ensure that lies parallel to the surface of the floor.
- Maintain your balance and ensure that the left leg is strong. Take care that your right knee does not get locked. Ensure that your knee cap is not aligned in the inwards direction, and is completely straight.
- Twist the upper torso to the left of your body. Move the left hip a little ahead.
- Now put your left hand over the corresponding hip.
- Gaze ahead, keeping the head in a fully neutral position.
- Put your body weight over the leg that is supporting your body weight. Press the lower hand to the surface of the floor, so as to maintain your balance.
- Push the sacrum and scapulas firmly against the back are of your torso.
- Maintain this posture for a few seconds.
- Now release your body from that position. Repeat the process on the other side of your body.
Benefits Of The Ardha Chandrasana
Practicing Ardha Chandrasana can be beneficial for your body in more ways than one.
- Improves strength - Its practice helps add more strength to the spine, abdomen, buttocks, knees, ankles, legs and thighs. It can also strengthen the spine and the abdomen, and help in toning the core muscles.
- Stretches and improves flexibility - Ardha Chandrasana also provides the groin, spine, shoulders, chest, calves and hamstrings with a wonderful stretch. The thighbones can become stronger, which can offer relief from pain and aches in the back. With this asana, you can strengthen the abdominal muscles and buttocks.
- Better focus and coordination - You can also get better focus and balance as you practice it regularly. It also offers a better sense of coordination and helps provide the mind with relief from stress. Like any other balancing pose associated with Yoga, this posture helps in increasing focus. Balance, flexibility and coordination are three things that can be significantly improved with the regular practice of this pose.
- Aids in digestion - The exercise is useful for improving digestion, and can help you to get over the problems of gas, bloating etc. Over a period, you can find you body being able to digest foods better, and there will be less of stomach issues.
- Cures pain and aches - Performing this pose can help you to get over problems in your lower back area. You can also alleviate pain in legs and the cramps and aches associated with menstrual disorders.
- Offers cough and cold relief - Regular practice of this posture is known to be effective in opening up the shoulders and chest area. It can offer relief from problems related to the throat, cough and tonsillitis.
- Cures female problems - It is known to be an effective cure for some issues associated to the urethra and uterus in females.
- Improves awareness - This specific posture can increase awareness, and make you more aware of your body.
Precautions To Be Taken While Doing The Ardha Chandrasana
You have to keep a few things in consideration as you practice this pose.
- If you suffer from neck problems, do not keep gazing straight. Try to keep the neck long, so as to avoid worsening of your issues.
- Are you a patient of problems like cervical spondolysis, migraine, low blood pressure or insomnia? In that case, it is best to refrain from this posture.
- Some types of health problems make this asana strictly prohibited. Do not perform it if you have:
- Slipped (herniated) disc
- Back pain
- Diarrhoea
- In case you have no such problems, it is a good idea to perform this pose in very early morning or late in the evening. It is preferable that you practice it on an empty stomach in the early morning hours.
- However, if you keep too busy during the mornings, you can do it in the evening as well. In any case, make sure that at least 4 – 6 hours have passed from the time of your last meal to when you are doing the asana. By this time, foods will have been digested by your body and you can experience a surge in your energy levels - making it easier for you to perform this Yoga posture.
- But if you suffer from a headache or dizziness while performing this pose, it is better to stop instantly. Do not push your body if you do not feel well while performing this asana. Not every pose suits everyone, and it is better to be careful, lest you hurt or sicken yourself while trying to do the Ardha Chandrasana.
Conclusion
The Ardha Chandrasana is meant to help you find your luminosity and balance. It might disorient you. However, as you practice this posture, you can be more and more aware of yourself, and be able to have more balance. As you perform this specific pose and focus on it, you can make your body more stable through your shoulder blades, tailbone and standing leg. You can have a strong foundation and be able to expand and extend well.
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