August: Half-Moon

August's Fertility Yoga Pose of the Month:  Half Moon

The moon is the ultimate symbol of woman, goddess and fertility.  Try Half Moon Pose when you are feeling stressed and depleted by the fertility process.  The lateral movement enlivens the spine and improves the flow of life energy through the chakras.  Ardha Chandrasana, or Half Moon Pose, also helps us connect with our feet and become grounded as we stretch up and out of our waist. 

In this three part pose, begin by finding a grounded standing position, feet hips width apart. 

Stretch arms up overhead, interlace your fingers and turn palms up to the sky.  Inhale as you grow very tall, lifting your ribs away from your hips.  Gently tuck your tail under to avoid overarching the lumbar spine.

Now, take your right wrist with your left hand.  Inhale and get length in the right arm and then exhale stretch gently to the left.  From your max lateral stretch inhale again, getting length and exhale as you stretch again to the left.  Hold for 5 breaths, inhaling length and exhaling into the stretch. 

Repeat other side.  When you have fully stretched both sides, take a gentle forward fold, knees soft, hands grabbing opposite elbows.