Critical Elements of the Half Moon Pose

Above is a photo of myself using a modification and an image of a professional in the lower right corner that I found on Yoga Journal of the Half Moon pose (the english name for Ardha Chandrasana), to help you reach and understand what this pose should look like. To achive this pose you should start with a solid foundation by placing either your right hand about twelve inches in front of your right foot and parallel to it. Then you should raise your left leg to a right angle and so it is perfectly alligned with your body, with your left hand on your hip. When you are steady, you should raise your left arm (so that it is alligned with your right) and straighten it out. You should also turn your head to look up at the sky. After several breaths in this pose, you should return to Trikonasana and then continue to practice this position on the left side as well.

In this pose, the muscles that are important would be with the foot that you have firmly placed on the floor, you should contract your quadriceps and bring them back into the bone. You should also do this for the other leg to maintain your balance.
Lowering your shoulder blades back into your spine is also very important and can help keep your arms in allignment. Also, I found it important to relax your neck and breathe into the stretch.Contracting these muscles help you balance and it also helps you to stretch your legs out.

Here is a youtube link to help you further understand the critical aspects and elements this pose requires:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB0AtwCtsqA


Refrences:
Pizer, By Ann. "Half Moon Yoga Pose - Ardha Chandrasana." Yoga. Web. 17 Nov. 2010. .

"Yoga Journal - Half Moon Pose." Yoga Journal: Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life - On and Off the Mat - Namaste. Web. 17 Nov. 2010. .