There’s a reason the word “yoga” has the same meaning in many languages: it is good for you. In fact, it is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy, build abs, and even look younger. There are so many benefits to doing yoga that it is difficult to list them all. Some of the most common ones include stress relief and improved flexibility.
And if that isn’t reason enough to start doing yoga regularly, here are some other benefits your yoga practice can provide you with: Improved cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure Help you sleep better and lose weight faster Reduce stress and anxiety Strengthen your muscles, spine, and hips All of these are reasons why every single person should start incorporating regular yoga asanas into their routine.
While there are countless poses you can try in order to receive different benefits from your practice, there are also some great poses that will not only help with your flexibility but also with your skin as well. Check out our top 7 yoga poses for defined abs.
Standing Warrior pose
Standing Warrior pose is a great pose that focuses on strengthening your abs. It is also a great pose for building up your shoulders and arms. To do the Standing Warrior pose, stand up tall with your feet together. Place your hands on the sides of your body with your fingers pointed toward your hips. Keep your back straight and your head up. Now, while breathing in, lift your right arm up and then out to the side until you are standing with your right side facing the mirror. Now, switch sides, and do the same thing with your left arm.
Bowl Pose (Bhujangasana)
Bowl pose focuses on your abs while toning your back, hips, and thighs at the same time. It is also a very calming pose that eases stress and anxiety. To do this pose, come down on your knees with your arms at your sides. Place your palms on the floor and your fingers pointing towards the sky.
Press your feet and arms into the ground, and sit back on your knees with your chest towards the floor if you have the flexibility to do so. Now, if you don’t have much flexibility, you can keep your back straight. For those who are more flexible, you can bend your knees and your elbows and place your forearms on the floor. Hold this pose for as long as you like to receive all the benefits.
Boat Pose (Padmasana)
The boat pose is a great one for toning your hips and thighs while also drawing attention to your lower back. To do the Boat pose, sit down on the ground with your legs out in front of you, and place your palms on the floor on either side of your hips. Press your feet into the floor and sit back with your chest towards the ground. Now, if you have the flexibility to do so, place your forehead on the floor and your legs on either side of your head. If you have more flexibility, you can place your upper legs on the floor and your forehead on the ground while keeping your legs together.
Crescent Lunge (Vāḷa Ōushai)
A Crescent Lunge is a great hip-opening pose that also stretches your hamstrings at the same time. It is a great one to do before or after any other leg or thigh-strengthening poses. To do a Crescent Lunge, stand up tall with your feet together, knees slightly bent, and your hands on your hips. Now, while breathing in, lunge one leg out to the side and then come back to an upright position. Switch sides and repeat on the other side.
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Shvanasana)
Downward Facing Dog is one of the most commonly practiced poses and for good reason. It tones your abs and lower back while also improving your flexibility and balance. To do this pose, come down on your knees with your arms at your sides. Place your palms on the floor and your fingers pointing towards the sky.
Press your feet and arms into the ground, and sit back with your chest towards the floor if you have the flexibility to do so. Now, if you have more flexibility, you can keep your back straight and place your forearms on the floor. For those who are more flexible, you can bend your elbows and place your forearms on the floor.
Plank (Tandava)
A plank pose is one of the best strength-building poses you can do. It also tones the abs and back while increasing your strength and balance. To do this pose, lie down on the ground with your forearms on the floor and your legs straight out in front of you, toes on the ground. Now, while breathing in, lift your entire body off the ground so that you are in a plank pose. Keep your legs and arms lifted and your back flat on the floor.
Runner’s Stretch (Tānṛi Shīrastrāsana)
Runner’s Stretch is a great pose that improves your flexibility and also your strength. It is a great one to do after any other pose that focuses on working your muscles for longer periods of time. To do this pose, come down on your knees with your arms at your sides. Place your palms on the floor and your fingers pointing towards the sky.
Press your feet and arms into the ground, and sit back with your chest towards the ground if you have the flexibility to do so. Now, if you have more flexibility, you can keep your back straight and place your forearms on the floor. For those who are more flexible, you can bend your elbows and place your forearms on the floor.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that yoga is a powerful practice that can provide you with many benefits, but to reap these benefits, you need to do the poses correctly. If you don’t follow the right steps and precautions, you could end up with a yoga injury or worse yet, get a skin infection from bacteria from a gym locker. Make sure that you always clean your hands and your yoga mat correctly and that you follow yoga poses correctly to prevent any injuries.
If you are new to yoga or feel like you are starting to get injured, we recommend that you consult with a yoga teacher before you start practicing again. They can help you determine whether or not yoga is the best thing for you and help you learn the poses and the proper form so that you don’t end up with any injuries or bad form.
