Core Yoga Poses
Engage your abdominal muscles with core yoga poses that build a strong and stable center like Boat Pose, Dolphin Pose and Side Plank Pose.
Latest in Core Yoga Poses
The Most Underrated Yoga Pose for Core-Strengthening
Tired of Boat Pose? You need to try Lolasana.
Forearm Plank | Dolphin Plank Pose
A modification of Plank Pose, Forearm Plank strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.
Cat Pose
How to avoid falling into autopilot while practicing this basic—but beneficial—stretch.
5 Not-So-Intense Variations For Side Plank
Challenge your balance and stretch your body in all the same ways as Vasisthasana, while dialing down the difficulty.
These 4 Yoga Poses Will Sculpt Your Obliques and Side Abs—No Crunches Required
Side Plank Pose is just the beginning.
Crow Pose | Crane Pose
A compact arm balance, Crow Pose and Crane Pose tone the abs and the arms, strengthen in the core, and focus the mind.
Side Plank Pose
When's the last time you reminded yourself that you can do difficult things?
Four-Limbed Staff Pose | Chaturanga Dandasana
Chaturanga Dandasana is not merely a push-up. This pivotal yoga pose is instrumental—so it's important to practice it properly.
Chair Pose
Utkatasana powerfully strengthens the muscles of the arms and legs, but it also stimulates the diaphragm and heart.
10 Poses to Build Strength & Stability in Your Core
The steadiness you'll gain in this practice will connect you to all aspects of your core—beyond just your muscles.
Boat Pose
Boat Pose, or Paripurna Navasana, requires you to balance on the tripod of your sitting bones and tailbone to build mental and physical focus, inspiring a full-body awareness.
The Post-Childbirth Problem No One Talks About—And How Yoga Can Help
If you still cross your legs when you sneeze or situate your mat at the back of class "just in case," you can do more than just Kegels to recover.
Boat Pose Made Easy
You’re not the only one to quietly curse when the teacher cues this pose. Here’s how to strengthen your body so you no longer dread Navasana. We swear.
5 Poses to Strengthen Your Lower Back and Core—All Without Standing Up
If you’ve found yourself lying on the floor often over the past year-plus, this practice is for you.
Not a Fan of Crunches? Try These 5 Standing Yoga Poses for Core Strength
And they take less than 15 minutes.
Plank Pose
Nurture your love-hate relationship with Plank Pose. A beginner's best friend, it's the perfect precursor to more challenging arm balances.
Psoas Self-Care: A 5-Minute Wall Exercise to Free Your Upper Core
Check out Liz Koch's author page.
Why You Should Stop “Stretching” Your Psoas
And what you can do to nourish your core instead.
3 Things You May Not Know About Your Psoas
No. 1: Lunges won't stretch this tissue.
Target Your Obliques With These 3 Yoga Poses
Try these side body-centric poses to refine your asana practice and deepen your core connection
Boost Your Motivation and Willpower with This Sequence
Here are 10 yoga poses to help you recharge and strengthen your resolve.
A Safe, Core-Supported Backbending Sequence
Move into backbends more safely, knowing you can consciously engage the muscles needed to protect the lumbar spine.
The Abdominal Crunch Yogis Actually Need (Sorry)
Want to unleash the true potential of your middle? Turns out crunches—yes, the exercise you’ve avoided for years in favor of holding Plank—are key to a stronger core and more stable yoga practice. Discover how they can serve you in every pose.
Master Revolved Abdomen Pose
Learn how to create elasticity and strength in Revolved Abdomen Pose in preparation for Parsva Bakasana.
Tara Stiles’s Natural-Movement Core-Strengthening Sequence
This strong-core sequence will move you in every direction to work your middle from each possible angle, building strength and ease of movement, naturally.
Two Fit Moms: 4 Belly-Toning Core Exercises
Here are 4 yoga-inspired, belly-toning exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home, on your own time.
Core Concept: Soften Your Middle for a Stronger Core
Think of the word “core,” and terms like “hard" and “tight” likely come to mind. But the secret to a strong middle is actually to soften in your practice. This sequence shows you how.
Yoga for Moms: Re-establishing Your Connection to Your Core
Janet Stone, who will lead our upcoming Yoga for Moms online course, explains the importance of re-establishing your connection to your core after childbirth.
11 BoxingYoga Poses to Punch Up Your Arms, Abs + Attitude
Did you hang up your boxing gloves when you found yoga? Now there's no need. BoxingYoga is attracting fans from inside and outside the ring, and it's about to throw a punch in the U.S.
A Core-Awakening Sun Salutation for Lower Back Support
Start to ease lower back discomfort and counteract the effects of too much sitting by swapping some of your standard Surya Namaskars for this core-focused variation.
Baptiste Yoga: A Twisting Advanced Core Flow
Master Baptiste Yoga teacher Leah Cullis offers a "Twist and Flow" sequence, which will fire up your core and unlock your inner power.
10 Yoga Poses for Strong Abs
Leah Cullis offers 10 poses that tone your abs and strengthen your core, helping you tap into your personal power on and off the mat.
The Ultimate Core Prep for Slackline Yoga
Steal these three three core-building balance moves from The YogaSlackers to cultivate slackline-ready strength.
Two Fit Moms’ Picks: 8 Best Yoga Poses for the Core
Just in time for summer, here are Two Fit Moms' top 8 yoga poses to work the core.
7 Core Power Poses for Summer—FREE With YJ App
Check out YJ Editors's author page.
Pose of the Week: Side Plank with Variation
Side Plank is a great pose for working your core, and an oblique twist adds variation.
Q+A: Which Poses Are Best for Working the Core?
Anything in Plank Pose works the core, in several different planes.
Challenge Pose: 5 Steps to Move into Eka Pada Koundinyasana I
Find length and stay centered to lift step by step into the One-Footed Pose dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I.
Prep Poses: Eka Pada Koundinyasana I
Learn to move from your midline, or central axis, in these three poses to prep for the One-Footed Pose dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I.
3 Safe-Alignment Modifications for Chaturanga Dandasana
Try these subtle, yet safe tweaks to Chaturanga if you struggle with the pose.
Learn Crane Pose
It requires a playful leap of faith—but once you are balancing in Crane Pose, you’ll feel a sense of lightness and joy.
7 Poses for Core Strength
Get your best summer body with deep core exercises that will power up your practice.
Steel Your Abs: Upward Extended Foot Pose
Add Upward Extended Foot Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Padasana) to your practice for flat abs.
Plank Pose: Your Ticket to Power and Grace
Build the power and foundation you need to transition between poses.
Why You Should Add Weights to Your Practice
To stave off muscle loss, support flexible joints, or add oomph to tough poses, a little strength training can go a long way.
Challenge Your Core Competency
Fire up your deep core and inner leg muscles to build strong abs.
To Tone Your Tummy, Release Your Psoas
Yes, a toned core is great for bikini season. But, when you learn to access the deepest muscles, you will get benefits that are more than skin deep.
Get Strong + Flexi for Arm Balancing
Take a playful approach to building strength and flexibility in your torso with arm balances.
Strong to Your Core: Full Boat Pose
Sure, a crunch works your abs, but Boat Pose? It can build strength all the way to the core of your very being.
Dolphin Pose
Prepare for inversions by strengthening your arms and core in Dolphin Pose.
Side-Reclining Leg Lift (Anantasana)
This side-reclining pose stretches the backs of the legs, the sides of the torso, and tones the belly.
Happy Baby Pose
This pose gently brings a greater awareness to the hip joints.
More Than a Pushup: Get the Most Out of Chaturanga Dandasana
"Four-Limbed Staff Pose" says it all. This pose becomes much easier when the rest of your body pitches in. Learn how to get the most out of this challenging pose.
UPP, AKA The Ultimate Psoas Pose
Forget crunche, have you met Urdhva Prasarita Padasana? It's a key yoga ab toner and back strengthener.
Dolphin Pose
Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, arms, and legs, while also nicely opening the shoulders.
How to Teach Yoga for the Core
Check out Rachel Brahinsky's author page.
A Core Strength Sequence to Get Through Difficult Yoga Poses
Core strength will help you get through those difficult poses. You'll feel easier in your poses and more capable in your life.
Scale Pose
Strengthen your wrists, arms, and abs, hanging in the balance of Tolasana.
Live Big, Get Bold: Boat Pose
When life has you dying to curl up into Child's Pose, try empowering Boat Pose instead to recharge your spirit.
Strengthen Your Side Waist Muscles, Free Your Pelvis
Strengthening your side waist muscles may not eliminate your love handles, but it will unlock your pelvis and protect your lower back.