Revolved Half Moon, or Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana in Sanskrit, is a challenging yoga pose that combines balance, strength, and flexibility. This pose engages the core and leg muscles while promoting spinal rotation and opening through the chest and shoulders. Revolved Half Moon requires a certain level of focus and coordination, mindful awareness of alignment, and breath. A block should be used to help with stability and support.
How do you do Revolved Half Moon?
Step 1.
Start in a High Lunge with your right foot forward, knee bent at a 90-degree angle, and your left leg extended behind you. Ground your right foot into the mat and reach your hands forward on top of blocks at the highest setting 12-14 inches in front of you.
Step 2.
Transition to Supported Warrior III by shifting your weight onto your right foot as you lift your left leg off the ground, coming into Warrior III. Your left leg should be parallel to the ground and keep your right leg straight, with a slight micro-bend in the knee to protect it.
Step 3.
As you inhale, engage your core, then on your next exhale, bring your right hand to hips or sacrum and begin to slowly rotate your torso to the right, opening up your chest. Once you’re stable, extend your right arm toward the ceiling, stacking it above the left arm. Keep your hips as square as possible, by internally rotating the inner thighs toward the sky, only allowing the twist to occur from the torso, not the hips.
Step 4.
Turn your gaze upward toward your extended right hand, or keep your gaze neutral if your neck is sensitive. Keep both legs strong and active, and hold the pose for a few breaths.
Step 5.
To exit, untwist slowly and lower your back leg gently to return to a standing position.
Benefits of Revolved Half Moon
This pose challenges your ability to balance on one leg while twisting, requiring focus and stability. It enhances overall balance, coordination, and proprioception (awareness of body positioning), making it excellent for improving mindfulness and body control.
The deep twist engages the oblique muscles, strengthening the core and improving spinal mobility and health.
Strengthens the legs since the standing leg works to maintain stability, while the lifted leg engages the glutes and hamstrings, building endurance in the lower body.
Helps to improve flexibility by stretching the spine, shoulders, and chest.
Variations of Revolved Half Moon
Supported: Use a block under your lower hand (left hand when twisting to the right, right hand when twisting to the left)
Bound: After coming into the full pose, reach your lower hand (left hand if twisting right) behind your back and grab the top thigh or hip crease. Extend the top arm overhead for an added chest opener to intensify the twist
If you have mastered half-moon pose and can balance easily in the posture, consider reaching your top arm towards your top foot. Make the peace sign with your middle and pointer fingers and see if you can grab onto your toes. Open up through the chest and breathe.
Other Yoga Poses to Try
- 05Feb
Plank Pose
Plank Pose, or Phalakasana in Sanskrit, is a fundamental yoga posture that builds core strength, stability, and endurance. It requires full-body effort, engaging the abdominal muscles, shoulders, arms, and legs. Holding this pose requires focus and intentional breathwork. This yoga
- 29Apr
Chair Pose
The Chair Pose, or Utkatasana in Sanskrit, embodies strength, stability, and grounding. It requires engagement of the leg muscles, core, and glutes to maintain a sense of balance and stability. The yoga practitioner should feel as if they’re sitting in
- 07May
Three Legged Dog
Three-Legged Downward Facing Dog pose, or Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit, is an expansive yoga pose that creates a dynamic triangle shape: one leg is lifted into the air while the hands are firmly rooted into the mat.
- 02Jul
Low Lunge Twist
The Low Lunge Twist, or Parivrtta Anjaneyasana in Sanskrit, combines the grounding qualities of a lunge with the detoxifying benefits of a twist. This yoga pose engages the lower body, while the twisting motion stimulates the digestive organs and promotes
- 25Apr
Half Pigeon
Half Pigeon Pose, known as Ardha Kapotasana in Sanskrit, is a grounding, hip opening yoga pose that invites stillness and introspection. Targeting the hips, glutes, and lower back, Half Pigeon is great for releasing any stored tension or stress within
- 07Oct
Happy Baby
Happy Baby, or Ananda Balasana in Sanskrit, is a playful, restorative yoga pose that encourages gentle stretching and relaxation. This posture targets the inner thighs, hips, and lower back, helping to release tension and create a sense of openness throughout
- 22Apr
Double Pigeon
Double Pigeon, also known as Firelog Pose or Agnistambhasana in Sanskrit, can be a deep hip-opening stretch, targeting the outer hips, glutes, and lower back. By opening up these muscles, this yoga pose can release tension within these lower muscle
