halfmoonpose

HALF MOON POSE VARIATION MINI CHALLENGE (progress not perfection)

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Hi Friends! Welcome to “Yoga with Penny!”

This month, I will teach you a variation of Half Moon Pose that requires balance and back-bending. It can be difficult to master, yet the focus, stamina and perseverance we experience from our efforts is proof that we don’t have to be perfectly whole in order to shine. Let’s focus on progress, not perfection!You should attempt this after practicing Half Moon Pose, but sometimes it’s just plain fun to try! However, always progress at your own pace and listen to your body.

The position of your arms legs and feet are the same as in the Half Moon. Once we establish a sturdy Half Moon, we then simply grab the raised foot and pull it outward from our body while our body tries pulls it inward. Basically, we will be holding on by letting go. Quite ironically, that is where true balance really does occur in this yoga posture!

To begin:

  • Stand with your feet facing forward.
  • Turn your right foot directly to the right side, including your toes and knees.
  • Bend your knees slightly.
  • Lean to the side while slowly straightening your standing leg.
  • Slowly lift your back leg up, keeping your back knee facing forward.
  • Use a chair, wall, table or yoga block to help with support.
  • If possible, grab your foot while lowering your hand to the floor.
  • Make sure your leaning hand stays below your shoulder.
  • Keep on looking forward, pressing your foot into your hand and pointing your foot behind you as far as possible.

Tips:

  • Breathe steady while moving into the pose, and focus on an object directly in front of you. This will help with your balance.
  • Press that back foot into your hand, stretching it back behind you for a deep stretch
  • Your entire body, head and lifted leg faces forward; your standing leg, toes and knee are facing the right side.
  • Once you have found the perfect position for your body, hold the position with deep inhales and exhales.
  • Remember that with regular practice, you will get stronger and your balance will improve with every effort that you make.
  • Always try to remember that yoga is a process, and you are always exactly where you need to be.
  • Enjoy your yoga practice. Remember progress is more important than perfection. Keep calm and yoga on!

The benefits of this posture are of course, an overall stronger body, improved focus, determination, concentration, balance, spatial awareness and stretching our heart, chest and lung for improved circulation and lung capacity.

Thanks for joining me today!

penny

THE HALF MOON POSE YOGA MINI CHALLENGE

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Welcome to Yoga with Penny!

This month, I will teach you how to shine in Half Moon Pose.

Balancing on one leg appears very intimidating for a beginner yogi. Yet, just like the moon has phases, working to full extension with our Half Moon Pose also takes time. At the beginning, use a chair or a wall for support. Because yoga is about being kind and loving to ourselves it is perfectly acceptable to use props to help us get into and out of certain postures. And because the Half Moon Pose is very beneficial to our over all health and well being, it is a yoga posture worth our time and effort.

Practiced on a regular basis, this posture will greatly improve our proprioception. This is the medical term for how our body knows what position we are in. It also informs our body when unanticipated events happen. For example, if we are walking on rocks and we feel unstable, our foot and ankle will send this info to our brain. Our body will then respond immediately by extending our arms to balance. Our eyes will then quickly find a new rock ahead to regain stability. Keeping our proprioception activated will help us to live stable, injury-free lives, especially as we age.

The Half Moon Pose

Place a chair on your right side for support.

Place your feet hip width apart.

Turn your right foot to the right side.

Bend your forward right knee and lift your back leg.

Try to keep both hips facing forward.

You can place your right hand on the chair or mat for support. Keep your hands directly below your shoulders.

Lift your left hand up or place it on your hips.

Turn your head forward.

Try to breathe deeply for 10 deep breaths. If you fall, try again.

You may feel a tendency to fall backward. Even so, try to align your entire body directly over your standing leg.

You may only be able to lift your leg an inch. That’s the perfect place for you to start!

Try a few times on the right leg, then repeat and balance on your left leg.

Practice often. You will see and feel results. Know that every time you shoot for the moon, you will be doing your body a world of good!

Thanks for joining me.

peace and love,

Penny!