To begin Lateral Half Moon (or Parsa Ardha Chandrasana in Sanskrit) stand firmly with both feet together, (Mountain pose). Feel the earth below as if you're rooted to the ground. Send energy upward through the legs by making them solid. Tuck the tailbone in slightly and pull the stomach in. Breathe slowly. Continue sending energy upward through the spine by engaging in mulabandha or by contracting the perineum, located between the anus and genitals.

Now open your arms out and up overhead, keeping your shoulders relaxed, not shrugged. Bring your hands together as you reach for the sky, keeping the body long and taut. Breathe in. As you breathe out, let your arms reach upward and over to the right. Keep your knees straight, feet firmly grounded. You can keep your hands together or you can turn the top (left) hand palm outward and clasp the wrist with the bottom (right) hand, also turned outward (both thumbs will be in front). The arms remain long while the bottom hand gently pulls the top hand.

Keep both sides of the torso lifted rather than letting them sink into the right. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Feel the opening of the left side, as the hips press to the left to aid balance. Expand the muscles along that side: hips, waist, ribcage, lats, shoulders and neck. Keep an even space open around your neck and head (don't shrug). You may face forward or upward, finding a focal point in front or above you, to help you concentrate. After a few breaths, return to the center and begin on the other (left) side opening the right side of the body, then back to center again. Return your arms to your sides and feel the length and openness of your whole body. Enjoy being taller. In fact, you can almost reach the moon!

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