Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana: Enhancing Balance and Flexibility

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Do Revolved Half-Moon Pose

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
English Name(s)
Revolved Half-Moon Pose
Sanskrit
परिवृत्त अर्धचंद्रासन Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
Pronunciation
PAHR-ee-VREE-tah ARD-uh chan-DRAHS-uh-nuh
Meaning
Parivrtta: Revolved
Ardha: Half
Chandra: Moon
Asana: Pose
Pose Type
Balancing
Level
Intermediate

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana at a Glance

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana or the Revolved half-moon pose is the variation of the Half-moon pose – intermediate, forward bend with a twist, stretch, and balancing on one leg. This requires awareness and focus and at the same time, coordinating the movement with the breath for a deeper twist. This standing yoga pose can be included in the flow yoga sequences as it boosts the energy to your body and mind.

Benefits:

  • The Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana pose helps to stretch and strengthen the hips, shoulders, arms, legs, and wrists.
  • This pose helps to stimulate and tone the digestive organs and the reproductive system.
  • This pose adds more flexibility and stretch to the side of your body.
  • This helps to elongate and strengthen your spine.
  • This pose can help to increase your self-confidence and body awareness.

Who can do it?

Intermediate and advanced yoga practitioners can do the Revolved half-moon pose. People with good flexibility levels can do this asana. Individuals who want to take some challenge for a balance with a twist can do this asana. Anyone with good health and who wants to improve their self-confidence level can do the Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana pose which can enhance the focus level as well.

Who should not do it?

People with High blood pressure or low blood pressure should avoid this asana. If you have ulcer and abdominal issues, you should avoid doing this pose. Pregnant women should avoid this asana or consult their healthcare provider. People having balancing issues should avoid this pose. Beginners should avoid doing it before gaining their balance and flexibility.

How to Do Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana?
Follow the Step-by-Step Procedure

  • This is one of the standing poses (standing yoga) is done by balancing on one leg and requires full control of the body and a lot of energy, to stay grounded. Practice Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana, under a professional yoga teacher.
  • You can come to the Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana pose, starting from these yoga poses –Triangle pose, mountain pose, Half Moon pose, or Warrior III Pose. Here we will start with the half-moon pose.
  • First, slowly get into the half-moon pose and be here for a few breaths ease yourself and gain some confidence to get into the further movement.
  • Here you are balancing your body weight, on your right leg, and your left leg is extended at the back and parallel to the ground. Your right hand (right arm) is placed in front of your right foot.
  • Now just look at a steady point, down on the mat, and get the grip of your balance.
  • Inhale deeply and now slowly bring your left palm (left arm) in front of the right foot (7 to 8 inches ahead), and keep it in line with your left shoulder.
  • Breathe in and bring your right hand onto the right hip, keep your belly button tucked in, and exhale and twist your torso to your right.
  • Keep breathing and your right shoulder is on your left shoulder.
  • Inhale and when you exhale lift your right arm above your head to the sky (ceiling) and gaze at your right arm palms and with an exhale, twist your hip and shoulders a little deeper.
  • Stay in the final pose with some deep gentle breaths and keep your balance and twist coordinating with your breath. Stay within your comfort level.
  • To release gently Exhale and bring your extended legs to the mat, your left hand gently down, and come to the Tadasana pose and relax with a few gentle breaths.
  • After you relax do on the other side to balance both sides of your body, with your left foot (left leg) on the mat to balance and extend your right leg. lifting your left hand, twisting your torso, and gazing at your left thumb.

What are the Benefits of Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana?

  • The Revolved Half Moon Pose offers many benefits for the entire body.
  • The most important benefit is that it improves your willpower, balance, and stability.
  • It gives a good massage to your abdominal organs and helps to strengthen the muscles.
  • The twist created in this pose helps to tone the digestive and the reproductive system, which helps with the better digestion process and helps tone the liver.
  • This one-foot balancing pose helps to, strengthen the calf, ankles thighs, and hip muscles.
  • This also helps to strengthen and stretch the side of your body and with regular practice, you can shed the extra fat in the waist region.
  • The Revolved half-moon pose also helps to stretch the hamstrings, groin, and leg muscles.
  • Regular practice of this pose can help to relax your body and mind, with coordination of the breath.
  • This yoga pose also helps to open your chest and shoulders, which helps with better posture and improves your lung capacity.
  • Revolved Half Moon Pose is a preparatory pose for the half-bound half-moon pose and bound half–moon pose which is more challenging for the gluteus, hips, core, and abdomen.
Benefits of Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana

Health Conditions that Might Benefit from Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana

  • People who are looking for better balance and stability, physically and mentally can practice this pose regularly and enhance it.
  • This pose helps to engage the core muscles which include the obliques and the abdominal muscles, which can be beneficial for individuals looking to strengthen their core muscles.
  • If you are facing any stiffness and discomfort in your spine, you can include this pose in your routine, which can help release the spinal tensions and improve your spine flexibility.
  • This is good for people with digestive issues, as the twist in this pose activates the abdominal organs helps with a better digestion process, and keeps you away from bloating and constipation.
  • This pose can be helpful to people with mild respiratory issues as it is a chest opener and helps in deep breathing, which improves lung capacity.
  • This pose can help to reduce your everyday stress and anxiety, and also improve your balance and focus towards your life.
  • Individuals looking out for the natural detox process of their physical and mental body can do this pose regularly as it stimulates the lymphatic system and helps in detoxification.

Safety and Precautions

  • On the safer side, warming up and doing preparatory poses are important before this pose.
  • If you have Low blood pressure issues, just avoid this asana.
  • If you have Headache and insomnia, you should avoid doing this asana.
  • If you have vertigo issues, be careful or consult your health care professional.
  • If you have any ankle, knee, or neck injury just avoid doing this pose.
  • If you have any spinal, shoulder, neck, or back injury, just avoid this pose.

Common Mistakes

  • Do the asana on the yoga mat on any surface with a better grip.
  • Neverdo it after the meal.
  • Not distributing the weight properly on the standing leg.
  • Arching your lower back will strain the lumbar spine.
  • Not engaging the core muscles and not engaging your standing leg muscles.
  • Avoid rounding the shoulders in the Revolved half-moon pose.
  • Avoid forcing the twist that can strain and end up in injury.
  • Do not lock your right knee on the standing leg.
  • Neglecting to use props when needed.
  • Don’t hold your breath as this can affect balance and stability.

Tips for Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana

  • Keep your foot grounded for a stable and balanced pose.
  • Keep your core muscles engaged to maintain balance.
  • Your lifted leg should be in line with the hip and keep the foot flexed.
  • Keep your hips squared (right and left hip parallel), it protects the lower hip and maintains the alignment.
  • Let your spine be elongated.
  • Twist from the lower back gently making it upward.
  • The arms should be placed on the mat or the block, within your flexibility level.
  • Extended hands should try reaching the ceiling.
  • Breath is the guide so keep breathing continuously.
  • Use props for your hand, or the extended legs like a block for the hand and chair or wall support for the leg.
  • Always do it on an empty stomach or 4 to 5 hours after the meal.
  • Gracefully release the pose and press your heel (right or left heel) as you lift your torso.
  • Modify the pose according to your comfort level, but do it under the guidance of a professional yoga trainer.
  • If you are doing this asana for the first time, do it under the proper guidance.

Physical Alignment Principles for Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana

  • Keep the weight distributed evenly with your standing foot.
  • Let your shoulder blades be broad and your chest open.
  • Keep your hips squared and be aware of the hip joints.
  • Your leg muscles should be engaged and as you lift the torso
  • The extended back leg and toes should be flexed.
  • Twist your body from the torso.
  • Keep your extended hands active and should reach the sky.
  • Gaze at your palms or the fingertips or left or right thumb of the extended arm.
  • Place your other palm on the mat or the block as per your comfort.
  • Keep your core and your thigh muscles engaged.

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana and Breath

Let your breath be flowing as you move from the half-moon pose into the Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana pose. Breathe deeply as you bring your arm to the ground and keep breathing and engage your core muscles and as you prepare for the twist, breathe out and twist from the base of the spine to the upper body. Inhale and straighten your spine keep in check on the alignment, exhale deeply, and twist a bit deeper, keeping the balance and stability in check.

Be mindful of your breath and focus on the stability of the pose and with every exhale try to let out the toxins twist your torso a bit and keep breathing to get in fresh energy. Don’t try to hold your breath, as this can shake your balance. Your breath here is the guide and helps to calm your mind.

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana and Variations

  • Half-moon pose is a Preparatory variation for this pose. breathe
  • You can do the Sugarcane pose as the variation.
  • You can do this yoga posture, taking support of the wall, initially to get a sense of balance and progress gradually.
  • Try using your block under your palms for support, if it’s difficult to balance and this will maintain the proper alignment.
  • To further challenge yourself you can do the Bound revolved half-moon pose – bind the front thigh and lock both hands at the back.

The Bottom Line

The Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana Pose is a challenging balancing asana that can help you twist deeper and also help with balancing and stability. There are many physical benefits and also improves your focus, self-awareness, and self-confidence in yoga and your life. This also helps to improve your physical and mental alignments.

Although it has many benefits, you need to be aware of any health concerns and consult your doctor for further guidance. This being an intermediate-level pose do it under the guidance of the yoga teacher. This can help you to let go of the negativity energize your body, and mind, and calm the nervous system.

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Meera Watts
Meera Watts is the owner and founder of Siddhi Yoga International. She is known worldwide for her thought leadership in the wellness industry and was recognized as a Top 20 International Yoga Blogger. Her writing on holistic health has appeared in Elephant Journal, CureJoy, FunTimesGuide, OMtimes and other international magazines. She got the Top 100 Entrepreneur of Singapore award in 2022. Meera is a yoga teacher and therapist, though now she focuses primarily on leading Siddhi Yoga International, blogging and spending time with her family in Singapore.
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