Video:5 Yoga Stretches to Tone Abs

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Transcript:5 Yoga Stretches to Tone Abs

Hello, I'm Milo for About.com and today we're talking about some yoga poses for abs.

Yoga is designed to work on the strength of your core and the flexibility of your spin. While it probably won't give you a six-pack, it definitely will tone your torso, giving you the foundation you need.

Cat-Cow Poses Are Good Yoga Stretches to Tone Abs

The following poses are not part of any series, but chosen as they focus on the core torso and abdominal areas. Start by doing a few cat to cow poses to warm up. Even though you may be doing this as a workout, always focus on alignment and posture.

For cat and cow poses your hands are directly below your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. You simply arch your back up for Cat Pose and invert it for Cow Pose. Going back and forth a few times warms up the core and back muscles.

Hands and Knees Pose Encourages Balance When Stretching to Tone Abs

Next try some core balance poses such as the Hands and Knees Pose. From the starting position take the opposite hand and foot and stretch them out in opposite directions.

For instance the right foot lifts up and stretches directly back and the left hand stretches directly forward. Energize the core to hold the pose and hold for 5 breaths, then switch.

Plank Pose Is Another Helpful Yoga Stretch to Tone Abs

Another helpful pose that engages the core is Plank Pose. To hold this pose, properly tighten your abdominal region and focus on being as straight from head to toe as possible. You can try holding this for as long as you can maintain proper posture.

From this pose, reach up with the left hand, creating a T shape with your body and stacking your feet. This is a more difficult version of the Plank, called Side Plank and engages the obliques effectively. You can hold this for 5 breaths then switch sides.

Table Pose is basically the reverse of Hands and Knees Pose -- you are now on your back facing up.

Boat Pose Uses an Elongation Stretch to Tone Abs

Finally, an excellent pose for toning the abs is the Boat Pose. Lying on your back use your abs to raise your torso then legs into a V shape. Keep your back straight and elongated. Stretch out through the balls of your feet and stretch your arms directly forward. Again, hold for as long as you can maintain proper posture an alignment.

There are many more poses that can tone and firm your abs and torso. For more information, check us out at About.com.