All About Abs: Two Poses To Tone Your Torso

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What are some yoga poses to tone my abs?

All About Abs: Two Poses To Tone Your Torso

Although any yoga poses will help work your abs as you concentrate on pulling your belly in, some yoga positions will work the abs specifically. Chaturanga dandasana, or four-limbed staff pose, is an element of the traditional sun salutation series that builds strength in the abdomen as well as the shoulders. Chaturanga is the down part of a push-up. Start in plank pose and lower your torso to a few inches above the floor and hold yourself there from 10 to 30 seconds. If you are in the middle of a sun salutation, you will flow from chaturanga to upward-facing dog.

Focus on drawing the abdomen in while holding chaturanga, and keep your tailbone tucked in and your leg muscles active to keep the lower back from dipping towards the floor.

Boat pose (paripurna navasana) strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine. Here's how to do it: Start sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Slowly bend your knees and lift your feet off the floor until your thighs are at a 45-degree angle. This may be as far as you go; it is more important to maintain a flat back than to force your legs straight. If possible, extend your legs. Meanwhile extend your arms straight out in front of you and keep them parallel to each other, while you focus on maintaining a flat back. Think about lifting from the sternum and pressing the tops of your thigh bones towards the floor.

   

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