Yoga is about more than flexibility and meditation. In my opinion, one of the biggest advantages of yoga practice is an increase in core stability. We're talking about more than just your abs. Your core stabilizers include your transverse abdominis, rectus abdomnis, obliques, lats, innercostals, and serratus anterior — the muscles wrapping around your sides and back. Core stability also connects your entire body to move and function in an efficient way and stay pain- and injury-free.
These muscles are also essential if you want attain and maintain efficient posture. Check your posture in the mirror? If you see rounded shoulders, forward head, a hunched upper back, or an increased arch in your lower back these are all indicators that your core stabilizers aren’t working the way they need to be.
Here are five yoga-based exercises that will kick your core stabilizers into gear and have you sweating your asana off.
