Ardha Chandrasana

In the improvers classes in July we have been focusing on Ardha Chandrasana or Half moon posture as it translates from Sanskrit.  The Sanskrit word chandra refers to the brilliance of the moon. In a pose like Ardha Chandrasana, the extension of your torso in one direction and the uplifted leg in the other draws a line that represents the flat edge of a half moon, while the energy in your extended arms and standing leg radiate out like beams in the night sky.
We have been playing with the balance element in this posture that comes from strong roots through the feet.  As those of you that come to my classes will know, I put a lot of emphasis on Tadasana as I know that feeling of stability and uplift that is accessed in this pose will lend insight in to every standing pose.  I like to remember that it is always a process of balance throughout the practice, that there is no one point that we are trying to reach but paying attention to the continual unfolding of movements along the way to learn more about our bodies and ourselves.  
We have also been opening the hips and gently encouraging the hamstrings to relax.  In this way the lifted leg is able to extend towards 90 degree and this makes for a long spine, which means that the chest is free to stay parallel to the wall and this in turn encourages open shoulders, with one hand rooted in to the ground and the other extending upwards.   Therefore in all directions the limbs of the body are extending like rays of the moon and there can be a feeling a great expansion within the posture.  
The benefit of Ardha Chanrandrasana are:-

• Helps with some kinds of lower back pain
• Strengthens back, legs, hips, and abdomen
• Increases flexibility of spinal muscles and shoulders
• Eases premenstrual tension
• Increases balance, co-ordination and concentration

This has been a very fitting time to practice Ardha Chandrana as we have been experiencing the third big bright super moon of three in 2013 recently, with the full moon falling on July 22nd - 23rd.  

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