There are many versions of the Moon Salutation. The version illustrated below is a beautiful sequence I learned from my yoga mentor and comes from the Kripalu tradition. It is a series of lateral bends. Side bends are great for opening and stretching the muscles along the side of the torso, massaging the intestines, opening the pelvis and increasing mobility in the spine.
via Yoga by Moonlight – Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar), Series of Side Bends | Yoga Flavored Life.