Stomach Exercises: Yoga

I am sure you must have heard that yoga is a good for health, for it is a body exercise and it can also help you reduce stress. Are you planning to use yoga to get a flat tummy? This can easily be done! Several positions in yoga, referred to as asanas, can tone up the muscles of your abdomen. Always remember that some of the positions are more advanced than the others. Prior to starting out with the positions, you should assess your comfort level and skill. Incase you feel that a particular asana is not easy to do then you can start with an easier one and then move to the more difficult ones when you have developed flexibility and strength. Make sure that you talk to an expert before you start yoga and remember to warm-up properly so as to prevent yourself from getting injured.

Pavan-Muktasan

You will have to lie flat on your back to carry out this asana. You can use a towel or yoga mat to act as a cushion to your spine. Lift both your knees up towards your chest; your thighs should touch your abdomen. Now put your arms around your knees and clasp your hands. After this, raise your head in such a way that your nose should be able to meet your knees. Now breathe deeply and hold your breathe for about half a minute. Now release your breathe and go back to your original position. You can also perform this exercise by using one leg at a time.

Bhujangasan

To perform this asana, you need to lie on your stomach. Now put your hands below your shoulders and lift your upper torso off the floor. Keep your head upright. Make sure that you do not push by making use of your hands. The muscles at the back should do doing the work for you. You should maintain this position for about half a minute and then go back to the original position. This asana will assist you in getting a flat abdomen by decreasing belly fat.

The Bow

Now this position is more or less like Bhujangasan. It is just a little more involved. You need to lie on your stomach and lift your legs in upward direction, apart from raising your torso. You need to bend your knees in such a way that your soles are facing your head. Take hold of your ankles and then pull by using your hands. Push with your legs so that your abdomen is on the floor. Now it should feel as if you are making a circle with your body. Keep your knees together all through the exercise. Maintain this asana for half a minute and then go back to the original position.

Paad-Pashchimottanasan

It may be difficult to pronounce the name of this position but it is not at all difficult to perform this exercise. On the other hand, it is recommended that you start with easier asanas before moving to this one because this position will require flexibility. Lie down on your back and keep your arms and legs straight. Keep the body straight. Your palms should be facing the ceiling and keep your hands together. Now contract the muscles of your stomach and sit up. Your hands should be over your head and your back should be straight. Move forward and then take hold your toes with your hands. Your head should be in the middle of your arms and your arms should touch your knees. You should maintain this position for two minutes before going back to the original position.