How to perform Half Lord of the Fishes Pose II
Bend your right leg back into Padmasana, placing the foot into the left thigh-crease. Extend the left leg forward. Reach your left arm behind your back and grab a hold of your right thigh. Use a belt if necessary. Extend your right hand forward and grab a hold of your left foot. Repeat on both sides.
What is Ardha Matsyendrasana II?
This is a combination of twisting and forward bend. The main focus areas in this pose are the chest, hips, shoulders, and knees.
As you bend your knee into Padmasana you will promote both hip opening and knee mobility. Bending your arm behind your back so that your hand grabs hold of the opposite thigh provides your shoulders with an intense stretch and also works toward opening up your chest. Then, as you fold forward to reach your foot, your chest will twist slightly. This improves health in your ribs and will help you breathe life into your upper body.
If your shoulders are too tight, you can wrap a belt around your bent knee to modify the intensity of the shoulder stretch. Likewise, you can use a belt to reach your extended foot. Another modification would involve the bent knee. If you have problems with your knees, you can simply fold the leg into a cross-legged position.
When to use Ardha Matsyendrasana II?
This is an asymmetric twisting pose and is typically incorporated in the middle or towards the end of the practice, when your body has had the chance to warm up sufficiently.
Ardha Matsyendrasana II can be quite helpful in correcting your posture, in relieving fatigue in your legs and in soothing your mind. The twisting motion benefits your side body and upper back. It massages the digestive organs, thus improving their function.
