Core Strength

Definition: Our friends in the Pilates world have long known about the importance of core strength, but it’s a term that becoming more and more widespread in the yoga community. The core refers to the muscles of the torso, both front and back, which support your spine, affecting your posture, and integrate the workings of your upper and lower body. While many workouts approach the abdominals in a fairly superficial way, yoga positions can get deep into your midsection, working muscles you didn’t even know you had, which is great for your long-term fitness and health. A number of variations on the crunch are taught in many more fitness-oriented yoga classes these days, but any pose that improves your balance will be strengthening your core along the way. This includes standing balances, inversions, and arm balances.

Here are some postures that focus on this area:

• Yoga Sequence for Abs
• Standing Balances Sequences
• Inversions Sequence
• Arm Balances Photo Gallery