Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana: Revolved Half Moon
ADJUSTMENTS | BENEFITS | SEQUENCING | SANSKRIT | STEPS
Parivrtta ardha chandrasana (PAHR-ee-VREE-tah ARD-uh chan-DRAHS-uh-nuh) requires balance, focus, strength, and flexibility. Maintaining the posture requires balancing energy in the legs and arms, the upper body and the lower. Revolved half moon pose evokes the cooling, rejuvenating qualities of the moon.
Philosophy + Origin
The state of the moon can influence an individual’s state of being. On full moon days, for example, you might feel headstrong and overly ambitious. New moon days can leave you feeling unmotivated. These extremes balance out as the moon makes its way from new to full. Revolved half moon pose asks practitioners to find balance by equally using the arms, legs, upper body, and lower body. When found, this physical equanimity brings mental balance, which can lead to discovering the “sweet spot” in all aspects of life.
ADJUSTMENTS/MODIFICATIONS:
- Place a block under your bottom hand to bring the ground closer to you.
- Press the sole of your raised foot firmly against a wall for support and to engage the leg muscles.
- Hover your lower hand off the floor, bringing elbow to your knee or hand to your heart.
- Keep your gaze to the side or downward to release your neck.
STEP-BY-STEP:
- Begin in a lunge with your right foot forward. Shift your weight into your right foot and press into grounded airplane with hands on the floor or blocks, right under your shoulders.
- Lengthen through the crown of your head and reach through your lifted heel.
- Place your left hand under your chest and place your right hand to your right hip. Draw your right hip back in space.
- Turn your chest to the right.
- Extend your right arm to the sky.
- Option to turn your gaze to your lifted arm.
- Hold for up to 10 breaths. Release to a forward fold for a few breaths then step back to lunge and repeat on the other side.
PREPARATORY POSES:
- Half moon | Ardha chandrasana
- Standing split | Eka pada ardha uttanasana
- Revolved triangle | Parivrtta trikonasana
SEQUENTIAL POSES:
- Revolved dancer pose | Parivrtta hasta padangusthasana
- Revolved sugarcane pose | Parivrtta ardha chandra chapasana
COUNTER POSES:
- Downward facing dog | Adho mukha svanasana
- Standing forward fold | Uttanasana
- Bound angle pose | Baddha konasana
SANSKRIT:
- Parivrtta = revloving
- Ardha = half
- Chandra = moon
- Asana = pose
PHYSICAL BENEFITS:
- Strengthens standing leg.
- Improves core strength and balance.
- Opens shoulders, hips, and pelvis.
ENERGETIC BENEFITS:
- Revitalizes the mind.
- Balances energy.
- Improves focus and mental clarity.
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Prasarita Padottanasana: Standing Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose
ADJUSTMENTS | BENEFITS | SEQUENCING | SANSKRIT | STEPS
Prasarita padottanasana (pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-an-uh) is a big stretch for the hamstrings and inner leg line. With many variations available, this pose is accessible for most practitioners. This is also a great pose in lieu of headstand.
Philosophy + Origin
Prasarita padottanasana has found its way into almost every style of yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar taught several variations of this posture, labeling them as A, B, C, and D. The most commonly practiced variation is prasarita padottanasana A. Prasarita padottanasana B is when the hands are on the hips and the head is lifted off the ground, not resting on the mat. Prasarita padottanasana C is the variation where the hands are interlaced and stretched behind the back and over the head as you fold. In the final variation taught by Iyengar, prasarita padottanasana D asks the student to grasp the big toe on each foot.
