Can Yoga Give You Abs? Six Poses to Strengthen Your Core

Written By: Taylor Rao

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There are many different reasons people commit to a steady, consistent workout routine. There are benefits for your mental health, advantages to having a well-balanced schedule, and of course, your physique will also thank you if you are committed to a results-driven fitness regimen.

But with dozens, OK, probably hundreds, of workouts out there in the world, it’s important to find the exercises that you enjoy and will help bring you closer to a healthy, happy body. And while yoga is certainly one of the most popular for the many ways it can help you feel better day-to-day, there is one question many newbies want to know before signing up for a 90-minute Vinyasa flow: Can yoga give you abs?

The short answer is yes….and no. Most experts recommend taking yoga classes and supplementing them with other types of workouts to add a good mix of cardio, strength training through lifting weights and conditioning.

The “yes” part of that answer, though, has to do with the specific yoga poses out there that can help you strengthen your core when practiced correctly and often. We’ve rounded up six yoga poses that can take you a few stretches closer to your dream body.

#1 Boat Pose

The boat pose is a classic yoga movement that is designed to improve your mobility and stability while being planted on the ground. This pose builds core strength while your bottom is on the floor and you slowly lift both legs in the air, pointing your toes toward the ceiling while you lean back, keeping your spine tall with your arms extended outward.

 Trust us, you will feel this pose in no time! And with more practice, you will be able to get your legs higher over time and maintain the stability that will improve your core muscles.

#2 Cobra Pose

While the cobra pose might feel more like a stretch than a core workout, this is a great exercise for beginner-level yogis to strengthen the muscles along the spine, while also learning to open and lift up the chest.

 To do a cobra pose, lay down with your stomach and forehead touching the floor and the tops of your feet and palms of your hands lightly pressed into the ground. Slowly start to roll your chest forward, starting with your forehead, followed by your shoulders, and eventually your stomach and abs. The cobra pose should last for about 15 to 30 seconds to get the maximum stretch possible.

#3 Plank Pose

Planks are a very universal exercise used across a number of different workout plans and are also used in yoga to build strength and stamina throughout the course of a class. A successful plank pose is all about engaging your abs and locking in your core to stay as sturdy as possible while holding the pose for, well, as long as possible.

Planks can either be done from the hands but can be made more challenging by dropping down to your elbows and trying to keep your bum from lifting in the air while you hold still.

#4 Side Plank

And since the plank is so popular, there are several variations since it is simply so effective! From a traditional plank pose, the side plank is activated by slowly rotating to one side of the body and stacking your feet on top of one another. Similar to the parent version, this movement is all about maintaining control over your entire body, keeping your core areas tight with an added balancing trick to stay in line and not topple over.

Of course, if your side plank on one side, you must remember to get back into a standard plank, take a quick breather, and repeat on the other side to make this entirely even full-body workout.

#5 Camel Pose

The camel post is another pose designed to target the curves in your spinal column, which are important in building up flexibility and stability for your core. In this pose, you will be kneeling on the ground with your knees hip-distance apart, while your hands are on the back of your hips with your fingers pointing downward.

Then, you start to open up and stretch your chest, lean your head back and slide your fingers down toward your ankles while paying attention to your breathing. This pose is recommended to be held for seven breaths to get the most out of this modern backbend.

#6 Plough Pose

The plough pose will be more effective for those who are more flexible and is an attainable goal to set for someone practicing yoga who is also dedicated to achieving their fitness goals through their practice.

To successfully try this one out, lay on your back with your arms loosely by your sides and palms facing toward the ground. As you inhale, you should slowly bring your legs up, with your hips to follow, and end up with both of your legs over your head and your toes reaching toward the ground just in front of your head. If they can touch the ground, you are achieving the plough pose! Hold this position for as long as you can before slowly lowering your legs, focusing on steadied breathing along the way.

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