yoga tip-pose of the week

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Pose of the Week: Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

If you've been converted to the idea that balancing is fun, try a challenging pose that helps you see the world sideways using a hand and foot on the ground instead of two feet! Half Moon Pose strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks, and spine, stretches the groin, hamstrings and calves, shoulders, chest, and spine, relieves stress, and improves coordination. If you are still working up to balancing without support, try this pose with a wall behind you. Place your right foot so that the toes point straight forward and your pinky toe is about ten inches to the left of the wall, and then bend your right knee. Reach your right hand out and place it on the floor forward of your right foot by about twelve inches and to the right of your foot by about six inches (if you're using the wall, the pinky finger of your hand will be near it). You can remain on your fingertips or flatten your palm against the floor. Then, leaning your weight on your right hand and foot and keeping your left hand on your left hip, draw the left leg off the floor until it extends right out of your hip and parallel to the floor. If you feel comfortable here, take the left hand up to the sky. Stay for five to ten breaths, then try the other side. When you energize both arms and legs in this pose, you'll feel a renewed sense of vitality and well-being.__________________________________________________