How to perform Revolved Half Moon Pose
Balance on your left leg, as in Ardha Chandrasana. Place your right hand on the floor or on a block in front of you and take your left arm up. Open your chest to capacity. Repeat on both sides.
What is Parivritta Ardha Chandrasana?
The twisted and more strenuous variation of Ardha Chandrasana. Here, depending on the foot that stays on the floor, your opposing hand will be placed on the floor before you. As you take your other arm up, you will immediately begin to feel the twist in your spine and the opening in your chest. You will also feel an additional stretch in the side of your ribs.
Due to the added twist, the balance will become more challenging, meaning that performing this variation of Ardha Chandrasana will require more concentration.
When to use Parivritta Ardha Chandrasana?
As with all standing poses, this pose builds stability and groundedness. It is a good all-rounder to include in a standing poses sequence. Parivritta Ardha Chandrasana comes well right after Parivritta Trikonasana – this is the most natural pose to transition from, as all it requires is you sliding your hand forward and lifting up your hind leg.
Useful during menstruation or pregnancy, both Ardha Chandrasana and its twisted variaiton can be taken with the support of the horse or the wall. This modification allows the practitioner to benefit from the hip opening, the pelvic opening, and improved circulation and space in the abdominal region with less effort and energy needed to maintain the pose and its balance.
As a weight-bearing pose, Ardha Chandrasana and its variation are also useful in maintaining bone density and in cultivating balance.
