Yoga is not only stress relieving, it is an exercise for your body and mind. Try something new when it comes to working your abs with these 5 yoga poses that really tone your tummy! Denise, Assistant Director of Group Fitness at Mountainside Fitness gives us the low down when it comes to tummy tightening yoga moves. Take it away Denise!
Navasana (Boat Pose)
- Start from a seated position with your legs together and the knees pulled close to the chest.
- Keeping your feet together slowly shift on to the tailbone and bring the feet and toes off the ground to a 45 degree angle.
- Slowly extend the legs straight so that you are slightly leaning back and the body is in a “V shape”.
- Raise your arms stretched out in front of you to shoulder level.
- Balance the entire weight of your body the sit bones. Hold the pose for five deep breaths and then slowly release arms and legs to the ground.
- Modification: For a half boat pose, keep knees bent the entire time.
Dolphin Plank (Forearm Plank)
- From Downward Facing Dog, inhale and shift your weight forward to the top of a push-up (plank position).
- Slowly lower to your forearms so that your shoulders are stacked directly above your elbows and your body is parallel with the floor.
- Hold for five deep breaths.
- Modification: Lower one or both knees to the floor.
Vasisthasana (Side Plank)
- From Plank, roll on to your right arm as you roll onto the outside of your right foot. Your entire body will be stacked and facing the left side.
- Keeping both feet flexed, stack your left foot on top of the right with straight legs.
- Extend your left arm up to the ceiling and gaze toward the left fingertips.
- After five breaths, roll back to the center and repeat on the other side.
- Modification: Lower the bottom knee to the ground.
Chatturanga Dandasana (Four-limbed Staff Pose)
- From Plank Pose, bend your elbows, keeping them close to your body and maintaining a strong Plank position while lowering toward the ground.
- When the elbows are parallel with your back (at 90 degrees), stop and hold for five deep breaths.
- Be sure to engage the core and avoid dumping into the lower back or shoulders.
- Keep your gaze slightly in front of you as to align the neck with the spine.
- Modification: Lower knees to the ground.
Bakasana (Crow Pose)
- Begin in a wide squat.
- Plant your hands on the ground in front you, should distance apart.
- Spread the fingers nice and wide to create a firm base with your hands.
- Slightly straighten your legs and place your knees under the armpits or as high on the triceps as possible.
- Shift your weight forward and find balance on your arms.
- Slowly begin to lift each foot off the floor until both feet are off the ground.
- Gaze forward and lift the tailbone to the sky.
- Hold for at least five breaths.
- Modification: Keep feet on the ground and just shift forward on to arms.
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