Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners

252 • PART III: YogA foR EduCATIng foR SElf-REgulATIon And EngAgEmEnT

Half moon Pose

Half Moon Pose is considered a balancing and integrating pose (Flynn, 2013). Harper
(2013) suggests that this pose may be the most challenging pose students will practice. It
strengthens the core, legs, and spine (Flynn, 2013). Use a block or two to help the students
reach the floor with their bottom hand. To modify, have students practice with a chair or
against a wall for support.

Pose Airplane

Instruct From Mountain Pose (or Lunge/Warrior I), find a focal point. Press down into to

your left foot, feeling all four corners of your foot. Engage your left leg, pulling

your muscles toward your bones. Engage your belly; pressing into your left

foot lift your right leg behind you. Your hands extend toward the back of the

room, palms facing down. To release, soften the grounded leg, engage your

belly, and gently bring feet together into Mountain Pose.

Anchor Point Grounded foot and belly, focal point a few feet forward, and breathe.

Breath Work Slow deep intentional breaths. Watch for holding breath during balance poses.

Photograph by Madison Weber; model Kayla Tiedemann.
Source: Flynn, 2013; Herrington, 2012; Walsh, 2008.

PoSE 11.22 HAlf moon PoSE

Pose Half Moon

Instruct From Warrior II, make sure your left foot

is at 12:00 on a clock (pointing toward

the front of the room). Pull your belly

in toward your spine, engage your leg

and arm muscles, and press into your

left foot, lifting your right leg, stacking

your hips. Drop your left hand to a block

and reach your right hand up toward

the ceiling, opening across the chest.

Activating your gluteus muscles, point

your right toes toward the ceiling.

Anchor

Point

The inner rim of the grounded foot

and belly. The focal point begins at the

floor and gradually moves toward the

ceiling or to reaching hand.

Breath

Work

Slow deep intentional breaths. Watch for

holding breath during balance poses.

Photograph by Madison Weber; model Kayla Tiedemann.
Source: Flynn, 2013; Herrington, 2012; Walsh, 2008.