Half Moon
Ardha Chandrasana balances on one leg with the body open to the side. A block under the hand and practising against a wall make it accessible.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Family
- Balance
- Hold
- 3–6 breaths per side
- Works
- Legs, glutes, core, hips
- Reach through the lifted heel
- Open the chest to the side
- Hand light on the block
Step by step
How to do Half Moon
Begin Begin in Triangle or Extended Side Angle.
- 01
From Triangle on the right, bend the right knee.
- 02
Place the right hand on a block about 30 cm ahead of the right foot.
- 03
Shift weight into the right foot and lift the left leg to hip height.
- 04
Straighten the standing leg without locking.
- 05
Stack the left hip over the right and open the chest.
- 06
Extend the left arm up; gaze forward or up.
- ↩
Coming out. Bend the standing knee, lower the back leg and return to Triangle or step back.
Breath
Steady breaths to stay balanced.
Focus
Lateral balance
Why practise it
Strengthens legs and core; improves balance and coordination.
Alignment & cues
Lifted leg active, foot flexed; hips stacked; shoulders stacked.
Teacher’s cues
- “Reach through the lifted heel”
- “Open the chest to the side”
- “Hand light on the block”
Common mistakes
Putting too much weight into the bottom hand and turning the chest to the floor.
Make it yours
Every body is different. Use props and variations freely — they are not a lesser version of the pose.
Easier
Back against a wall; block on highest height.
Variations
- Sugarcane (hold the lifted foot)
Props
- Block
- Wall
Where it fits in a flow
Warm up with the poses on the left, then move into the ones on the right.
Prepare with
This pose
Follow with
Practise with care
Safety
Use a wall with balance issues; gaze down with neck problems.
Educational guidance, not medical advice. Stop if you feel sharp pain, pinching or dizziness, and check with a qualified teacher or health professional if you are pregnant, injured or managing a health condition.
In the tradition
Chandra means moon; the pose evokes a crescent's shape.
Questions
Where should the block go?
Under the shoulder, about a foot in front of and slightly outside the standing foot.
