Yoga has been a part of the Indian culture for 5,000 years. It helps you acquire deeper knowledge of your true self via regular yoga practice. Yoga offers a good physical workout by combining the right breathing technique, the perfect body alignment and posture, and the right muscle groups. It helps you rejuvenate your body and mind and develop a fresh perspective towards the world.
Unfortunately, one of the underestimated areas of your body are the core muscles. However, you cannot underestimate the important role core muscles play in helping your body function. Core muscles help you develop the necessary flexibility and strength to do everyday tasks with ease.
Your body’s core strength keeps your back and spine healthy, not to forget provide your body with the perfect balance. The regular practice of yoga for core strength tones the muscles of your core. Developing core strength is also vital for overall great yoga session.
Yoga for Core Strength – Reasons to Have a Rock-Solid Core
A powerful core helps you perform many yoga poses like Tree Pose and Warrior Pose with ease. A strong core also does a lot for improving your overall health.
With that said, let us look at the three reasons to develop solid core strength.
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1. Minimizes Risk of Back Pain
You already know how debilitating back pain can become with age. Your abdomen muscles are directly in front of your spine and support your entire body. If your abdomen is weak then your back muscles have to work harder to hold your spine straight.
On the other hand, yoga makes your core and back muscles stronger and minimizes the risk of straining other muscles in your body.
2. Improves Your Body Balance
Balance is an important factor when it comes to helping you stay away from falling and injuring yourself. A stronger core helps you perform many demanding yoga asanas for longer duration. A practice of yoga for core strength makes it easier for you to move smoothly without losing your balance.
3. Improves Your Regular Life
Your core muscles help you not only perform yoga asanas but a hosts of everyday tasks like picking something from the kitchen shelf. In short, the stronger your core muscles, the less energy you need to perform everyday tasks.
Yoga is a natural way for you to improve your overall health and develop strength. Let us check out the three yoga poses you can practice to build rock-solid core strength.
Yoga Poses to Develop Core Strength
Yoga relies heavily on your core so you have to work on your abdomen area. Given below are the three yoga for core strength poses you can practice.
1. Plank
Plank is the most common pose available in many fitness programs. Although you might find it simple to look at; it does require a lot of strength. Plank is the best yoga pose for strengthening your core muscle groups.
How to Practice the Plank
- Lie down on the yoga mat with your elbows pointing upwards and hands right below your shoulders.
- Suck your stomach in and push your palms and feet towards the mat. Raise yourself slowly to a full-plank position. Keep your glutes and core tight and do not shrug your shoulders.
- Hold the Plank position for 30 seconds and then relax.
2. Side Plank
In the Side Plank pose, you have to balance your entire body on one arm rather than on all fours. It helps you develop a solid oblique strength and find any weakness in your muscles.
Guidelines to Practice the Side Plank
- Start this pose by lying down on your side on the yoga mat. Prop up one arm with your elbow directly below your shoulders. Rest your forearm against the yoga mat and push onto your hand.
- Keep your one foot on top of the other. Push and when you do, your body weight has to be concentrated on the outside of your foot placed against the floor.
- Contract your abdominal muscles and lift yourself by pushing your hips upwards. You have to contract your glutes and obliques on the side closest to the ground.
- Lastly, you can raise your opposite arm towards the sky or keep it on your hip.
3. Boat Pose
The Boat Pose requires much work from your lower abdominals and hip flexors. It is a bit challenging so you can use a yoga strap to hold onto your feet during the practice.
Tips to Practice the Boat Pose
- Start in the seating position on the yoga mat. Keep both your legs extended in the front.
- Lean back and bring both your legs at a 45-degree angle. Try to keep both your legs as straight as possible.
- Bring your hands towards your feet and keep them a few inches off the ground.
- Puff your chest outwards and keep your shoulders back.
- Contract your abdomen and breath for 30 seconds.
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Conclusion
Your core muscles do a lot of work when it comes to providing you with improved body balance and alignment. You should practice yoga for core strength to keep your spine healthy and increase flexibility in the long run.
