Half Moon Pose — Ardha Chandrasana

Improve your coordination and spatial balance with Ardha Chandrasana. Half Moon strengthens ankles, thighs, glutes, abdominals and back. It stretches calves, hamstrings, groins, chest and shoulders.

1. Begin in Warrior II with right leg forward. Heel-toe left foot a few inches closer to right, bend deeper into right knee and reach torso and right arm toward top of the mat.
2. Press through right foot and float left foot off the mat. Lower right fingertips to the mat or a block, tracking fingers directly under shoulder so right arm and right leg make two vertical pillars.
3. Lift left leg to become parallel to the mat and flex the foot with toes pointing to the left. Right toes remain pointing toward the top of the mat. Reach left arm skyward
4. Rotate chest and hips to face the left so left shoulder stacks atop right shoulder and left hip stacks atop right hip. Balance through actively pressing through right big toe. Firm both legs evenly. Draw shoulder blades together.
5. Ensure left leg is tracking straight out of hip by looking down the body to see left toes. If you cannot see your toes, move left leg a bit to left until they come into view.