ARDHA CHANDRASANA

I have been having tons of fun teaching ardha chandrasana (half moon pose) in my classes this week.  Such an informative pose and - yesterday - as I drove home, I looked into the sky and there it was -- an almost half moon.  Validating my effort, I'd say.

On Thursday, in the Basics class, I began this teaching -- 2 newer students, and one seasoned practitioner (who mentioned she struggled with stacking the hips in half moon pose).  Well, that set the course.  We warmed up, then moved to the wall for the benefit of everyone.  At first, the pose was done with the hips and shoulders supported by the wall, and the bottom hand on a block -- what a feeling, to open into a pose without fear of falling!

Then, we shifted mats so that the short end was at the wall, and did the pose again, stretching their lifted legs into the wall behind themselves.  This requires a bit of trial and error, to figure out just how far from the wall is optimal.  But once everyone figured it out, the poses looked amazing.

And, finally, we moved away from the wall (still had the block, however). Gave the pose a try without support.  Interesting that I could see everyone working, figuring out what was happening as their poses wobbled, and then fixing the problem.  Great awareness.  And, the person who struggled with 'stacking the hips'; well, she figured out that stacking the hips is practically impossible -- the top hip is not able to do it; I should say, rather, the bottom hip won't open to that extent, so the top of the pelvis will stay a bit forward.  Once she figured that out, that trying to stack hips was throwing her out of balance, her poses were amazing.

Switch to Friday morning, Gentle Yoga.  Ardha chandrasana again (what? in a Gentle class? Yes.)  And, they loved it -- none had done the pose before and the use of the wall to lean into and open up against is such a valuable tool; the block helps, as well.  Had them all laughing a bit giddily -- arms extended after coming out of their poses (image: you've just scored a '10')  Best of all, grinning!

Today?  Going to Grand-Dude's t-ball game, then to lunch with the family.  This is one major reason we moved to So. California.  Love it.

Hope you have a great Saturday!