The practice of Chandra Namaskar[moon salutation] is a reflection of Surya Namaskar [sun salutation], just as the moon which has no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun. Chandra Namaskar is a cooling sequence of 17 Yoga poses which invites you to bow to and cultivate the moon’s soothing lunar energy. The name is derived from the Sanskrit, ‘Chandra ‘ means moon and ‘Namaskar’ means salutation.
The sequence of asanas is same as Surya Namaskar except that Ardha Chandrasana, the half moon pose is performed after Ashwa Sanchalasana. Although they are less known than the sun salutation practice, they complement it perfectly, as they embrace the opposite, interconnected energy.
Benefits: It improves fertility, blood circulation and balance of the body. It controls stress levels of the body and increases flexibility.
Warning: People who are suffering from lower back and knees pain should avoid performing this salutation.