Crescent Lunge Pose Teaching Tips
[br]
Preparation Pose For Warrior Series: Crescent Lunge Pose, a variation of High Lunge (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana), is the perfect preparation pose for Warrior I Pose (Virabhadrasana I), and the Warrior series (Warrior I, II, and III) because it helps build stability and stamina.
Active Back Leg: If you see a student is struggling with balance, ask them to keep their back leg active and press firmly through the feet.
Hips Facing Front: A lot of students will have their hips pointing slightly to the left or right. The key to this pose is to keep the center of gravity (the hips) low, level, and facing the front of the mat.
[br]
Modifications
[br]
For a greater challenge, ask students to:
Hold: Hold the pose for longer.
Dips: Add dips (bring the back knee to hover just above the mat).
Standing Position: If students aren't able to step their foot forward between their hands (very common), ask them to begin the pose from a standing position at the back of their mat and step one foot forward.
Twist Variation I: High lunge twist pose.
Twist Variation II: Lunge twist with Anjali Mudra (place hands in the Prayer position, Anjali Mudra, in front of the chest. Place left elbow outside the right knee. Keep lengthening the spine and pressing the knee into the elbow. Repeat on the other side.
Downward Facing Dog: Downward facing dog lunge pose
Partner: Crescent lunge with partner pose
Transition into Warrior III: Step weight into the front foot and lift the back foot (to come into Warrior III).
[br]
Follow Up Poses
[br]
Spending time on this pose pays dividends when teaching more advanced poses. It provides a deep stretch to the entire body which helps with Warrior I, Warrior II, Warrior III.
[br]
Benefits
[br]
Tight Shoulders & Neck: Tell your students how amazing this pose is for softening tight shoulders and necks, which is an epidemic in our modern world. The deep stretch of the arms above the head helps stretch the shoulders and neck. Reducing stiffness in the body unlocks energy levels. Your students will instantly feel better during and after this pose. Their bodies and minds will feel light and strong
Stretch: Stretches groin, chest, shoulders, abdominals, and hip flexors.
Backache: Relieves backache.
Opening: Opens front torso. Heart opener.
Balance: Improves balance and stability.
Legs: Strengthens legs.
