Half Moon Pose

What is Half Moon Pose?

Half Moon Pose is a strengthening and stretching pose of the Bikram Yoga sequence. Unlike most of the other poses in the sequence, there is no break between this posture and the Hands to Feet Pose that follows—the two poses always go together. Half Moon Pose serves as a warm-up for the spine and strengthens your abdominal muscles.

How do you do Half Moon Pose?

  • Step 1

    Begin standing with your feet together and parallel. Raise your arms over your head and interlock your fingers. Release your index fingers and cross your thumbs.

  • Step 2

    Inhale as you stretch up from your waist and bend your upper body over to the right. As you exhale, move your hips and lower body to the left.

  • Step 3

    Repeat on the other side by stretching your upper body to the left and shifting your hips to the right.

How do you modify Half Moon Pose?

  • Half Moon Pose for Beginners

What are the benefits of Half Moon Pose?

  • Flexibility

  • Back Stretch

  • Core Strength

Expert opinion

This is considered the warm-up for the spine.

The three sections of this posture strengthen the central muscles in the abdomen, increase flexibility in the spine, improve posture and help ease sciatica.

Melissa McIntyre,The Hot Spot Yoga in London

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