 ASK
OUR EXPERTS...I heard core training is fantastic for
working on your abs. Do you have any new exercises I can add to my workout?
Core training offers some excellent exercise for tightening up those abs.
Core work is a huge part of both yoga and pilates too. Following are 3 new
exercises to add to your routine that fuse together these three effective
forms of exercise:
Yoga Front Plank - On a floor mat, get into a push-up position. Push your
upper body up with your arms straight and directly under your shoulders. You
should be at an angel from your head to your heels. Make sure your body is
straight, from head, hips to heels. Tighten your abs and hold this position
for 30 seconds. Repeat.
A second, more advanced variation of this is to lay flat on your stomach.
Lift your body onto your elbows and tips of toes. Make sure your elbows are
directly under your shoulders and your body is straight from head, hips to
heels. Tighten your abs and hold this position for 30 seconds. Repeat.
Yoga Side Plank - On your floor mat, sit with your body turned sideways,
left arm extended out and down to support your upper body. Knees bent. Slide
your legs straight out so your body forms a 90 degree angle from head to
heel. Stack your right foot on top of your left. Reach your right hand
straight out at a 90-degree angle to your torso. Keep your entire body in a
straight line by contracting your abs, lower back and glutes. Hold position
for 30 seconds. Repeat.
Flip over to your other side and repeat the routine.
The Yoga Side Plank is excellent for working your obliques - the abdominal
muscles on the side of your torso.
Pilates Rollup - On your yoga mat, lay flat on your back, body straight,
arms above your head, parallel to your body. Inhale and contract your abs.
Then exhale and start to roll your body, starting with hands pulling up and
over, and then toward your feet. Reach for your toes with your fingertips.
Hold, then slowly roll backward to the original position where you are
laying flat with arms above your head. Repeat.
For more details on this subject or to have your fitness questions
answered, please contact RWM by email
experts@risingwomen.com
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