Consider Yoga As Part of Your Core Exercise Routine For Sculpted Abs and a Flatter Stomach

There are several, traditional core exercises that have proven results, when it comes to sculpted abs and a flatter stomach. These include ab crunches, leg lifts, squats and lunges. There are other ways to strengthen your core muscles, and Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga is a great alternative for those that are tired of crunches or Pilates. Even though Pilates focuses on the core muscle group from the pelvic muscles to the abdominals and the diaphragm, this kind of yoga is a great alternative for strengthening the core muscle group without a boring and strenuous exercise routine.

There are many different types of yoga, but Vinyasa is a general term that relates to breath-synchronized movement through a series of yoga poses. Sun Salutations are a part of warm up and stretches muscles prior to a more intense workout. Ashtanga and Power Yoga include a series of poses that are more physically demanding and faster paced. It includes a flow of poses that are usually done in a particular order, with constant movement from one pose to the next pose, exercising and stretching a different set of core muscles.

When it comes to sculpting the abs and getting a flatter belly, a good overall body workout is helpful, including cardio routines or strength training. Any exercises that build muscles can cause you to burn more calories and have additional muscle strength. When it comes to the best core exercises, it is a matter of focused stretching and contracting of the muscles, along with deep breathing exercises, that yields some of the easiest and best results and this is what makes Vinyasa or Ashtanga such great choices.

Consider some of the Vinyasa yoga poses that require balance, focus, concentration and proper form. They push muscles to a working position without straining. These yoga poses are even more effective when you add deep breathing to the count of 10, for each pose that you assume during your yoga workout.

When you consider some of the best yoga poses for core muscle conditioning, there are a few to master. There are so many yoga poses that learning the sequence can be a fun and interesting way to do add variety to your core workout routine.

Sun Salutation warm-up, stretching yoga poses are done in the following sequence:

Tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana, Uttanasana, reposition for the Uttansana again and then move into the Downward facing dog, Plank position, drop to your Knees, Chest and Chin, Cobra, Downward facing dog, Uttanasana, Urdhva Hastasana, and finally Tadasana. The sequence is repeated on the other side. These beginner yoga poses are easily found in a number of places on the Internet and many people may already know them from yoga classes.

Following the Sun Salutations, the following effective core poses are part of a fun and effective core training workout:

Cat-Cow Stretch, then Hands and Knee Balance, followed by Downward Facing Dog, Plank Pose, Side Plank Pose, High Lunge, Half Moon Pose, Awkward Chair Pose, Eagle Pose, and finally, the Boat Pose. Try taking deep a breath and holding it for 10 counts between poses.

Who says that core exercises can't be fun and interesting? Consider mastering these yoga poses for core strengthening and more sculpted abs and a flatter stomach.

Dominique Rogers is a fitness enthusiast and author. For more information on superbabs.com/exercise-tips-for-the-best-core-workout core exercises, visit her at SuperbAbs.com SuperbAbs.com