⠀ Following the pranayama breathing, the Half Moon Pose, Backward Bending and Hands To Feet Pose of the Bikram Yoga series energetically stretches the spine in all 4 directions to stimulate the central nervous system and prepare the body for the class ahead. ⠀ ⠀ Taking two sets of these postures enables connection with mind-body awareness by engaging in breath based movements to explore the limits of your flexibility at the beginning of the practice.⠀ ⠀ Additional to stimulating the central nervous system, the half moon pose strengthens and stretches the thighs and hamstrings by keeping the muscles active and engaged. ⠀ In the half moon and backward bend, the organs receive a energizing lateral and frontal stretch. In the standing forward bend, the organs are given a detoxifying compression.