Ardha chandrasana explained

Ardha Chandrasana (Sanskrit: अर्धचन्द्रासन; IAST: ardha chandrāsana) or Half Moon Pose[1] is a standing asana in modern yoga as exercise.[2]

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words अर्ध ardha meaning "half", चन्द्र chandra meaning "moon", and आसन āsana meaning "posture" or "seat".[3]

The 19th century Sritattvanidhi uses the name Ardha Chandrasana for a different pose, Vrikshasana.[4] Swami Yogesvarananda used the name in his 1970 First Steps to Higher Yoga for a pose similar to Kapotasana, Pigeon.[4] The modern usage of the name is found in B. K. S. Iyengar's 1966 Light on Yoga.[5]

Practice and benefits

The pose is entered from Trikonasana (triangle pose), where one foot is kept forward. The arm opposite to the foot that is forward would come onto the hip. While stretching up with the rear leg and out with the front hand so that only the fingertips remain on the ground, the hand on the hip can gradually reach up towards the ceiling. The gaze is directed at the upper hand.[6] [7] However, Iyengar describes the pose with the upper hand resting on the hip.[8] [9]

The pose helps to strengthen the ankles and improve balance.[6]

Variations

Other 'half moon' poses

In Sivananda Yoga and its derivative styles such as the Bihar School of Yoga, half moon pose is Anjaneyasana,[12] an asana used in the moon salutation series (Chandra Namaskar).[13]

In Bikram Yoga, the name "half moon pose" is given to a two-legged standing side bend,[14] elsewhere called Indudalasana.[15]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ardha Chandrasana . 2011-04-09.
  2. Book: McGilvery . Carole . Mehta . Mira . Mira Mehta . The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, Massage and Yoga . 2002 . Hermes House . 978-1-84309-129-5 . 247.
  3. Book: Sinha, S. C. . Dictionary of Philosophy. 1 June 1996 . Anmol Publications . 978-81-7041-293-9 . 18.
  4. Book: Sjoman . Norman E. . Norman Sjoman . The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace . Abhinav Publications . 1999 . 1996 . 81-7017-389-2 . 82, 90 .
  5. Book: Light on Yoga . Light on Yoga . Schocken . Iyengar, B.K.S. . B.K.S. Iyengar. 1979 . 1966 . 74–76 . 0-8052-1031-8.
  6. Web site: Anon . Half Moon Pose . . 28 August 2007.
  7. Book: Mehta, Silva; Mehta, Mira; Mehta, Shyam . 1990 . Yoga: The Iyengar Way . Yoga: The Iyengar Way . . 30–31.
  8. Book: Iyengar, B. K. S. . B. K. S. Iyengar . 1979 . 1966 . . . 74–76.
  9. Web site: Costello . Nikki . Balance Mind & Body: Half Moon: Balance, strengthen, and lengthen in Half Moon Pose . . 8 February 2022 . 17 June 2013.
  10. Web site: Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon Pose) . Fitz-Simon, Witold . 11 January 2019.
  11. Web site: Baddha Parivritta Ardha Chandrasana (Bound Revolved Half Moon Pose) . Yogateket, Witold . 11 March 2019.
  12. Book: Lidell . Lucy . The Sivananda Yoga Centre . The Book of Yoga: the complete step-by-step guide . Ebury . 1983 . 978-0-85223-297-2 . 12457963 . 132–133 . registration .
  13. Web site: Mirsky . Karina . A Meditative Moon Salutation . Yoga International . 23 July 2019.
  14. Web site: 26 Bikram Yoga Poses . Bikram Yoga Poses Guide . 23 July 2019.
  15. Web site: Indudalasana . Yogapedia . 23 July 2019.

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