Revolved Half Moon

Revolved Half Moon (Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana) might look like a graceful balancing act, but don’t be deceived by its elegant appearance—this pose is a powerhouse of strength and stability.

It’s the perfect blend of balance, core engagement, and a deep twist, making it a favorite among yogis who crave a challenge.

Pose details

How to do the Revolved Half Moon pose

Before attempting Half Warrior III, it’s beneficial to warm up with poses that engage your core, strengthen your legs, and improve your balance, such as Warrior I, Warrior II, and Tree Pose.

Once you’re ready, follow these steps:

1. Begin in Warrior I Pose. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and step your right foot back, keeping your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Your right foot should be angled slightly outward, and your hips should face forward.
2. Extend your arms overhead. Reach your arms up toward the sky, keeping your shoulders relaxed and your gaze forward. Engage your core to maintain stability.
3. Shift your weight forward. Slowly begin to transfer your weight onto your left foot. As you do this, start to lift your right leg off the ground, keeping it straight and strong.
4. Lower your torso. As you lift your right leg, hinge at your hips to lower your torso forward. Aim to bring your torso parallel to the floor while keeping your arms extended in front of you, in line with your ears.
5. Find your balance. Keep your left leg strong and your core engaged. Your right leg should be extended straight behind you, forming a straight line from your fingertips to your toes. Your gaze can be slightly forward or down to help with balance.
6. Hold the pose. Stay in Half Warrior III for five to ten breaths, or as long as comfortable. Focus on maintaining a steady breath and a strong, engaged core.
7. Return to Warrior I. To come out of the pose, slowly lower your right leg back to the floor and lift your torso back to an upright position, returning to Warrior I. Repeat on the other side.

Modifications

If Half Warrior III feels a bit too challenging, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to modify it while still getting the benefits:

• Use a wall: Stand a few feet away from a wall and place your hands on it for support as you hinge forward. This can help you maintain balance and alignment while building strength in your standing leg.
• Try a chair: Place a chair in front of you and rest your hands on the back of the chair as you lift your back leg. This provides extra stability and allows you to focus on engaging your core and lengthening your spine.
• Bend your standing knee: Keeping a slight bend in your standing knee can help you maintain balance and reduce strain on your hamstrings. This modification makes it easier to find your center of gravity.
• Use blocks: Place yoga blocks under your hands to bring the floor closer to you. This can help you maintain proper alignment and make the pose more accessible, especially if you have tight hamstrings or limited flexibility.
• Focus on alignment: Instead of lifting your back leg high, concentrate on keeping your hips level and your spine long. This will help you build the necessary strength and stability for the full expression of the pose over time.

Safety tips

• Warm up properly with poses like Downward Dog or Warrior I to prepare your muscles and joints.
• Engage your core. This will help maintain balance and protect your lower back from strain.
• Keep your hips square. Avoid letting one hip lift higher than the other to maintain proper alignment.
• Focus on a point in front of you. This will help you maintain balance and stability throughout the pose.
• Breathe deeply and evenly. This will help you stay calm and focused, and provide your muscles with the oxygen they need.
• Exit the pose slowly and mindfully. Transitioning out of the pose with control will help prevent injury and maintain balance.

Similar yoga poses

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

This is a basic standing pose that forms the foundation for many other poses. It helps to improve posture and balance, making it a great preparatory pose for Tree Pose.

Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

A standing balance pose that involves wrapping the arms and legs around each other. It enhances concentration and balance, similar to Tree Pose.

Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

This pose requires balancing on one leg while extending the other leg and arms forward. It strengthens the legs and core, much like Tree Pose, but with an added challenge of maintaining a horizontal alignment.

Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Another standing balance pose, Half Moon involves balancing on one leg while extending the other leg and one arm upward. It improves balance and strengthens the legs, similar to Tree Pose but with a lateral twist.

Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana)

This pose involves balancing on one leg while holding the big toe of the other leg and extending it forward or to the side. It enhances balance, focus, and leg strength, much like Tree Pose.