7. HALF MOON

ARDHA CHANDRASANA

From Triangle pose (previous page), to your right, step your back foot in slightly and place your right hand on a block about a foot in front and slightly outside your right foot.

Keeping your right leg bent, place your left hand on your left hip and root through your right foot as you lean into the block until your left leg feels ‘empty’. Inhale as you float your left leg up to hip height. Flex your rear ankle, spread your toes and extend through the ball of your left foot.

Ground your right foot into the floor as you straighten your supporting leg and rotate your chest and pelvis open to the left, so your hips and shoulders are stacked one above the other.

Keeping a soft gaze towards the floor, inhale and raise your left hand up to the ceiling.

Breathe evenly from the belly for three to five breaths, imagining there are lines of energy travelling from your centre out through each limb.

Exhale to lower, then pause in Wide-legged forward fold (p23) before repeating on the other side.

Benefits

Eases fatigue

Aids balance and focus

Helpful for stress and anxiety

Opens the ribs/improves breathing

Variation FULL POSE

Once you can balance well using the block, place your hand on the floor instead, remembering to spread your fingertips and root into the ground to lift your torso upwards.