Candy Cane Pose - Ardha Chandra Chapasana

Candy Canes are for life not just for Christmas!

A beautiful balancing posture that focuses on strengthening the core, ankles, calves and thighs. Along with stretching into the hip flexors, groin and quadriceps. It will open the chest and shoulders, and because of the balance element will help you to increase focus and concentration.

If you have a knee injury you should keep the standing legs knee soft.
If you have any lower back pain or injury you should check with your doctor before trying this.

If you have vertigo you can hold onto the wall to help with this balance.

A how-to for Candy Cane Pose

From a deep forward fold place your right hand down on the floor or a block in front of your right foot. Then lift onto the fingertips to create a tent shape with the right hand. Slowly begin to lift your left foot off the ground, sending it straight back behind you.

From here we’re working on opening the top hip, stacking in this instance the left hip on top of your right. If the knee allows at this point start to straighten through the balancing leg, keeping the left foot flexed and active.

Extend your left arm straight up toward the ceiling or rest it on the hip, and send your gaze up to your left hand or keep it in a neutral position that feels comfortable for you.

Then we want to start to bend into the left knee and bring your left heel toward your glute and reach back with your left hand to take a hold of the foot - you can use a strap here to bridge the gap.

Once you have hold of your foot or the strap, press the foot into your hand or strap and pull the hand or strap into your foot opening up through the shoulders and chest. Working to revolve the chest open toward the ceiling and send the crown of the head forwards.

A wonderfully fun pose to try! What is your favourite pose to explore?

Want to know more?

If you'd like to learn more about Yoga we have a BRAND NEW Yoga Basics course designed around just that, if you’re interested you can email info@yogacourse.com to request a free syllabus.

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