Deep Dive into Half Moon Pose: Learning Through Video Analysis
Kia ora koutou - Greetings everyone!
I'm excited to share my learning journey as I work through my Evolation Yoga Teacher Training, analyzing the amazing video content available through our online platform. Today I'm starting with my reflections on the Half Moon Pose instructional video, and I'll be sharing more insights over the coming days. I must apologize in advance for not staggering these posts according to when I originally viewed the videos - I simply got carried away with the excitement of learning and wanted to keep going rather than pause to organize my thoughts!
Key Takeaways from the Half Moon Pose Video
The Power of Built-in Corrections
One of the most striking aspects of this instructional video was how the dialogue includes built-in corrections. This is brilliant teaching methodology - rather than waiting for students to make mistakes, the instructor proactively addresses common issues. Since people often bend forward in daily life, these corrections specifically help practitioners straighten up, keeping both front and back parallel to the mirror with a neutral spine before moving into the lateral stretch.
Understanding the Movement Mechanics
The video clearly explained that the spinal movement is lateral flexion (side extension). This anatomical clarity helps practitioners understand exactly what they're working toward. The setup emphasizes:
Feet neutral and parallel, pressing down through all four corners
Body engaged and tight, stretching upward before bending to the side (transverse plane movement)
Arms, legs, and palms all pushing toward the middle (sagittal plane)
Side stretching while maintaining alignment parallel to the mirror (coronal plane)
The Importance of Mindful Movement
The emphasis on mindful movements from the inside out resonated deeply with me. This internal awareness is what transforms a simple stretch into a meaningful yoga practice.
The Structure of Effective Dialogue
The video demonstrated a well-organized teaching sequence that includes:
Warm-up
Setup with built-in corrections
Action phase with ongoing corrections
Encouragement
Stillness (the hold)
Release
This structure provides a complete framework that other instructors could adapt for their own teaching.
Practical Modifications
The video offered useful modifications that make the pose accessible to different bodies and needs:
For Shoulder Issues
Arms bent and placed on head or hips
Keep palms together when possible
For Balance or Back/Knee Concerns
Position feet directly under hips rather than wider
For Alignment Practice
Practice against a wall to maintain uprightness without sagging forward or backward
Questions for Further Exploration
While the modifications covered shoulder, balance, and back concerns, I found myself wondering: Were there any additional modifications specifically for pregnancy, or would the two listed modifications be sufficient? This seems like an important consideration for inclusive teaching.
Personal Reflections
What struck me most was how many small, detailed instructions I had missed in previous classes. These nuances have been incredibly helpful for deepening my own practice of Half Moon Pose. It's a reminder of how much we can learn when we approach familiar poses with fresh eyes and careful attention.
The video was expertly done, and I thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience. It's wonderful how breaking down a pose systematically can reveal so many layers of understanding that we might otherwise miss in the flow of a regular class.
Looking Forward
This analysis is just the beginning of my catch-up journey through my video notes. I'm looking forward to sharing more insights as I work through my backlog of learning materials. Each video offers its own unique teaching gems, and I'm excited to continue this process of deeper understanding.
Ngā mihi (With gratitude),
Shelley Hanifan
What aspects of yoga instruction do you find most helpful in your own practice? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the importance of detailed alignment cues versus more intuitive, flow-based teaching styles.
