Ardha Chandra Chapasana, AKA: Lalitha
Lalitha is a sensuous goddess who lives in a perpetual state of harmony. She’s full of bliss! She is most often portrayed carrying a bow made of sugar cane and has flowers that are used as the arrows. The five flowers are to represent the five senses. She also carries a goad, a noose, is adorned in red, and wears a sun and moon in her long hair. She is also known as the Empress of Desire. Lalitha embodies all human emotions, so even though she represents harmony and calm, she can still be fierce when she needs to be. Lalitha’s arrows can shoot the morally inept with flowers of love to change their ways.
The Yoga posture, Ardha Chandra Chapasana is a representation of the goddess Lalitha. This pose is a variation on the pose Ardha Chandrasa, which is Half Moon Pose. In Ardha Chandra Chapasana, the extended leg that is horizontal to the floor bends at the knee so that the hand can grab the foot and then draw back into the shape of Lalitha’s bow. This is an advanced balance pose and it is also a chest opener. This posture is also my new favourite pose!
What’s your favourite balance pose? Feel free to comment below.