Urdhva Anjaneyasana (Upward Crescent Moon Pose)

Urdhva Anjaneyasana comes under the basic level of Asana and it is performed in standing position. This Yoga pose targets your shoulders and the lower back. The word Urdhva Anjaneyasana is taken from the Sanskrit word, in which Urdhva means – Elevated, up, erects; Anjaneya is the name of Lord Hanuman and Anjana is the mother of Lord Hanuman and the meaning of Asana is Pose, seat or Posture.

Lord Hanuman is the most powerful, strongest, intelligent character in the Epic of Ramayana. We can say that this Yoga pose is inspired by Hanuman. And that’s why this Asana named so; this Asana is also known by the name of Upward Crescent Moon Pose.

Urdhva Anjaneyasana (Upward Crescent Moon Pose) is a Very easy and simple Asana for all age group of people.

Level of Asana: – Basic

English Name: – Upward Crescent Moon Pose

Steps of Urdhva Anjaneyasana (Upward Crescent Moon Pose)

• First, come into the position of Tadasana (Mountain Pose), step your left foot about 2 feet back and raise the heel of your left foot. At this time, your both feet should be facing forward.
• Raise your hands to your chest with palms pressing together like Anjali Mudra.
• Now gently take your hands up towards the ceiling and your palms are joining each other (Namaskar or Anjali Mudra) and take deep breaths.
• At this point, Visualize lengthening your spine in the upward direction along with tailbone towards the ground.
• Make sure to keep your shoulders little down to make a space between your ears and arms.
• When you reaching by your fingers, embrace (hug) your shoulder blades in towards your back to help stop your shoulders from moving in the direction (towards) of your neck.
• Keep going on to actively reach up with your arms and by your pinky-sides of your hands.
• Slowly try to arch your back to form a shape of crescent through your upper body along with your left leg.
• Don’t take this Yoga pose as a deep backbend, so keep in mind not to bend too much, coz this can be injured you or put the strain on your lower back.
• After that, gently tilt your head back without pressing your neck and look towards the ceiling.
• Remain in this position about 30 to 60 seconds and keep controlled breathing.
• For releasing the pose, keep your spine straight and put your hands down to your sides. Repeat the same steps with your other leg.

Benefits of Urdhva Anjaneyasana Pose

• Upward Crescent Moon Pose improves your posture and beneficial in back pain.
• It stretches and strengthens your shoulders, lower back, hamstrings, calves, chest, and ankles.
• Urdhva Anjaneyasana Calms your mind and keeps stress away from your mind.

NOTE

If you are suffering from hypertension or any type of heart problems. Keep deep breathing in each step. In the case of Shoulder pain than putting your arms slightly parallel to each other instead of keeping the palms together in Namaskar/ Anjali mudra. In the condition of neck pain, don’t tilt your head back, but keep it straight.

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