The Graceful Curve of the Crescent Moon

 After the half moon appears on July 16, our celestial neighbor will begin to wane into a new moon. On clear nights over the next week, we will enjoy the graceful curve of the crescent moon. It reminds us that our bodies are not shaped like boxes and squares. We’re all curves and circles. In the spirit of the crescent moon, we practice Crescent Moon Stretch to stretch open our ribs, get our blood flowing and keep our spine flexible.

To practice Crescent Moon Stretch (Chandrasana), begin in a seated or standing position. Breathe in and reach your arms long overhead. Yogi’s choice: face your thumbs toward the back, clasp your hands and point toward the sky, or hook your thumbs together. Breathe out and bend to one side, curving your body like a crescent moon. Breathe deeply. Look straight ahead or up to the sky. Feel your side stretch all the way from your hip to your fingers. Stay aligned from front to back as though you are standing between two walls. Breathe in back to center. Breathe out to make your crescent moon on the other side.

Send your mind and body over the moon any time of the day, even sitting in a chair at your computer. Chandrasana is the way to do it. Thanks for the reminder, Moon! Namaste.

Coloring page from Yoga Teddy Bear’s Big Little Coloring Book of 108 Yoga Poses colored by Miss Michele Palumbo, Bay Shore, NY. Enter our coloring contest to win prizes. Picture of K. Mae Copham in Vail, CO by Robert Oakley.