Sugarcane - Ardha Chandra Chapasana
STEPS : Begin in Half Moon Pose, standing on your right leg with the left leg parallel to the floor and the left arm lifted straight up. Bend your left knee and release your left arm down to catch hold of the top of your left foot behind your back with your left hand. Keep your left thigh roughly parallel to the floor until you feel stable with your balance. It's okay if the thigh rises higher, but focus first on creating a stable base with your straight, standing leg before going deeper into this pose. Draw your left foot toward your back body with the left hand, kicking your foot into your hand to create abduction. This push-pull action helps to turn the pose into a backbend while helping the body to feel lighter in order to sustain the balance. Make sure to feel your chest extending forward to create this bow shape. Hold for one to five breaths before releasing the left foot back into Half Moon position. Return the left foot to the floor and try the other side.
Benefits of Sugarcane - Ardha Chandra Chapasana
- Strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks and spine.
- Stretches the groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine.
- Improves coordination and sense of balance.
- Helps relieve stress.
- Improves digestion.
- Increases circulation.