A six step sequence to Ardha Chandrasana

Ardha Chandrasana is a challenging pose. It requires strength, a really good balance control and stretching. Therefore, it’s better not to rush into it but, instead, to build a way to get the most out of the Half Moon Pose once we reach its moment in the practice. As always, there are multiple possible paths to an asana, which means that you can experience a countless number of other ways to warm up and get ready for the sequence to Ardha Chandrasana.

Despite all that, you can try one for yourself as well. With time, sequences start making sense as our body and mind journeys get more and more clear.

A hip opener, side balance, and strength pose, the following sequence was prepared and tested to prepare the best Ardha Chandrasana. Let’s get into it!

6 step preparatory sequence to Ardha Chandrasana

Find out our suggested sequence to Ardha Chandrasana to prepared and built-up this amazing pose. 

1. Adho Mukha Svanasana

Well, Adho Mukha Svanasana is a mandatory asana in pretty much every practice, since it awakens and stretches the entire body.

In this sequence to Ardha Chandrasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana is a gentle way to start warming up the shoulders and to give the necessary stretch to the legs.

2. Adho Mukha Svanasana – Three-legged Dog variation

In this variation, in which one leg is up (the heel towards the glute and the knee pointing up the ceiling), we give a nice hip-awakening to the body. Ardha Chandrasana requires a good hip-opening movement, so it’s great to give some attention to it.

This variation, put more emphasis on the shoulders, strengthening and warming it up.

3. Utthita Parsvakonasana

Directly from the previous asana, bring the foot in between your hands, slide the back foot’s heel to the floor and enter Utthita Parsvakonasana.

You can either keep your hand on the floor or the arm on your leg. In the first option, the side stretch will be stronger and the work on the hips, but if you can’t keep your chest opened, chose the other variation.

This pose will prepare your hips, legs and the side of your upper body to Ardha Chandrasana.

4. Virabhadrasana II

You can either start from Tadasana or directly from Utthita Parsvakonasana, inhale and enter Virabhadrasana II. If you are feeling energetic and warmed-up, go deep and work your leg and strength core with it.

5. Utthita Trikonasana

The next asana in the sequence to Ardha Chandrasana is Utthita Trikonasana. This is one of the traditional poses to start Ardha Chandrasana from. It works on all the aspects that will be required from the Half Moon Pose, and it also gives the necessary stability to enter the pose. 

6. Utthita Trikonasana variation

In this variation, the hand that is usually lifted goes behind your back as you try to reach and grab your front thigh. Even if you can’t grab your thigh, keep that intention. The idea is to bring attention and conscious to the movement of opening the chest.

From this pose, you can go back to the traditional Utthita Trikonasana, and enter Ardha Chandrasana.

Try out this amazing sequence to Ardha Chandrasana, and start working on this pose for yourself, anytime you want to!

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