Practice This Cooling Stretch

“Love this posture for exactly these reasons you mentioned."

“As a yoga therapist and Ayurveda certificate holder, I'd like more information about how Half-Moon is actually a cooling pose. You say that in this position, the abdomen and solar plexus areas relax - how so? Is this true for everyone? It seems to me that because this is a standing pose, the activation of the large muscles of the thighs and hips would create a certain amount of heat, and because this pose also requires a strong focus to maintain balance, that it would be both brahmana and heating. And the attempt to maintain balance and the integrity of the form of the posture might cause many to contract and tighten the abdomen... Aren't there simpler ways to relax the abdomen and solar plexus without the heating effects of engaging the large musculature, and without the mind-heating effects of maintaining balance? "

“Very well explained, thank you!"

“Great comments Kathleen and thank you! You are correct there are simpler ways to relax the abdomen, but this pose remains the most effective one I know for teaching awareness and alignment of the solar plexus. The middle back (in terms of body awareness) is a mysterious place for many. You notice this when people are dancing - stiffness in the spine above the kidneys. The solar plexus is a hot spot that needs to be addressed. You are correct that the posture could be overstimulating while someone is trying to figure it out. However, the pose has a post relaxation effect even for a newbie because of its effect on liver/solar plexus. Meanwhile, I would love to know of some simpler poses to teach alignment of the middle back - for the reasons you mentioned."

“The solar plexus is a nerve plexus in the abdomen that is situated behind the stomach and in front of the aorta and the crura of the diaphragm and contains several ganglia distributing nerve fibers to the viscera. The diaphragm attaches to the spine at the middle back, not necessary in the same spot for all. The most immediate and direct pathway to the diaphragm and the nervous system is through the breath. Since everyone's spine is different, I would avoid offering an individual posture as a one-size-fits-all way to align the middle back, just as in Ayurveda you would avoid offering a one-remedy-is-good-for-all IBS. So instead of offering a single asana in isolation, I would recommend a few basic breath-centric postures with repetition to bring awareness and circulation to the area of concern, and then a simple seated pranayama done in a relaxed way. Try this: 1. Dynamic child's Pose to gently relax the back - from hands and knees, exhale as you move into child's pose, inhale back to hands and knees. Do this 6 times, not too fast. 2. Cobra to gently stretch into the area of the solar plexus - lying on the belly with hands resting behind the back, lengthen through the torso as you inhale up into cobra, exhale as you come down. Do this 6 times, not too fast. 3. Repeat #1. 4. Sitting with spine erect but not rigid, shoulders relaxed, place your awareness in the area of your solar plexus. Begin to slowly inhale allowing the natural expansion of the chest, ribcage and belly as the lungs fill. Exhaling slowly, allow the torso to return to it's previous shape. Over the next few breaths, slow down the exhale slightly so that it becomes a bit longer than the inhale. Continue for about 12 breaths. Simple balanced asana followed by a slightly langhana pranayama... ahhhh. Kathy J"

“Generally speaking, twists are good for the liver and weight loss."