Core Yoga Poses

A modification of Plank Pose, Forearm Plank strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.

This pose provides a gentle massage to the spine and belly organs.

Challenge your balance and stretch your body in all the same ways as Vasisthasana, while dialing down the difficulty.

Side Plank Pose is just the beginning.

A compact arm balance, Crow Pose and Crane Pose tone the abs and the arms, strengthen in the core, and focus the mind.

A powerful arm and wrist strengthener, Side Plank takes its two-armed sibling to the next level, as an arm balance.

Chaturanga Dandasana is not merely a push-up. This pivotal yoga pose is instrumental—so it's important to practice it properly.

Utkatasana powerfully strengthens the muscles of the arms and legs, but it also stimulates the diaphragm and heart.

The steadiness you'll gain in this practice will connect you to all aspects of your core—beyond just your muscles.

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.

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.

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.

If you’ve found yourself lying on the floor often over the past year-plus, this practice is for you.

And they take less than 15 minutes.

Nurture your love-hate relationship with Plank Pose. A beginner's best friend, it's the perfect precursor to more challenging arm balances.

And what you can do to nourish your core instead.

No. 1: Lunges won't stretch this tissue.

Try these side body-centric poses to refine your asana practice and deepen your core connection

Here are 10 yoga poses to help you recharge and strengthen your resolve.

Move into backbends more safely, knowing you can consciously engage the muscles needed to protect the lumbar spine.

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.

Learn how to create elasticity and strength in Revolved Abdomen Pose in preparation for Parsva Bakasana.

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.

Here are 4 yoga-inspired, belly-toning exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home, on your own time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Master Baptiste Yoga teacher Leah Cullis offers a "Twist and Flow" sequence, which will fire up your core and unlock your inner power.

Master Baptiste Yoga teacher 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.

Steal these three three core-building balance moves from The YogaSlackers to cultivate slackline-ready strength.

Just in time for summer, here are Two Fit Moms' top 8 yoga poses to work the core.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Side Plank is a great pose for working your core, and an oblique twist adds variation.

Anything in Plank Pose works the core, in several different planes.

Find length and stay centered to lift step by step into the One-Footed Pose dedicated to the Sage Koundinya 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.

Try these subtle, yet safe tweaks to Chaturanga if you struggle with the 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.

Get your best summer body with deep core exercises that will power up your practice.

Add Upward Extended Foot Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Padasana) to your practice for flat abs.

Build the power and foundation you need to transition between poses.

To stave off muscle loss, support flexible joints, or add oomph to tough poses, a little strength training can go a long way.

Fire up your deep core and inner leg muscles to build strong abs.

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.

Sick of sit-ups? Strengthen your abdominals and hip flexors with Lolasana.

Take a playful approach to building strength and flexibility in your torso with arm balances.

Sure, a crunch works your abs, but Boat Pose? It can build strength all the way to the core of your very being.

Prepare for inversions by strengthening your arms and core in Dolphin Pose.

This side-reclining pose stretches the backs of the legs, the sides of the torso, and tones the belly.

This pose gently brings a greater awareness to the hip joints.

"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.

Forget crunche, have you met Urdhva Prasarita Padasana? It's a key yoga ab toner and back strengthener.

Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, arms, and legs, while also nicely opening the shoulders.

Check out Rachel Brahinsky's author page.

Core strength will help you get through those difficult poses. You'll feel easier in your poses and more capable in your life.

Strengthen your wrists, arms, and abs, hanging in the balance of Tolasana.

When life has you dying to curl up into Child's Pose, try empowering Boat Pose instead to recharge your spirit.

Strengthening your side waist muscles may not eliminate your love handles, but it will unlock your pelvis and protect your lower back.