Yoga with Denise Austin: Half Moon Pose

Try This Today

• Practice Half Moon pose — watch Denise Austin demonstrate this pose in the video above.
• Hold the pose for 30 seconds on each side.
• Breathe deeply while holding the pose.
• Adapt the pose to your level of fitness. For example, if you need help balancing, pose near a wall, or place a chair or block on the floor so you don’t have to reach down as far. Yoga should not be painful, so back off a little on your stretch if it hurts. 
• To build your yoga routine, add the Side Plank pose.

Why

Yoga can help improve your balance, strength and flexibility. The Half Moon pose stretches your hamstrings, calves, chest and spine​ while helping you improve your balance. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, preliminary research indicates that yoga may help relieve stress and improve mental health. In a group of 52 women in Iran, average age 33, stress, depression and anxiety significantly decreased after 12 sessions of yoga (three sessions a week for four weeks), according to a report published in 2018 in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine.