Got a bit of winter belly? Yeah, us too. But get this: You don’t need to hit the treadmill for hour upon boring hour, or try out some newfangled (and potentially dangerous) detox. Instead, this six-move yoga sequence will tighten your tummy up pretty quickly. Repeat the sequence a few times for best results.
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Whether you want to whittle your waist or reveal those abs in time for summer, hop onto your mat daily after a warm-up. You’ll probably find you even start looking forward to your “me” time on the mat…
READ MORE: “Here’s Why I Recommend Yin For Anyone Suffering From Anxiety”
There’s an abs bonus to this yoga sequence…
Strong core muscles don’t just look epic, they also protect your lower back. So if you’ve got a niggly back, you should definitely think about including this yoga sequence in your regular practice.
1. Downward-Facing Dog
Start this yoga sequence in the downward-facing dog pose. Can you feel those abs?
2. Three-Legged Dog
Inhale: Lift your right leg – point or flex your foot actively.
READ MORE: 5 Beginner-Friendly Hip Opener Moves – And Why You Should Do Them
3. Knee-To-Elbow Pose
Exhale: Right knee to your right elbow/triceps. Notes: Shoulders above your hands, straight spine, pull in your belly and activate your legs. (Easier option: Left knee on the floor as you move your right knee forwards.) Hold pose: hold the Knee-To-Elbow Pose for five breaths to feel your core muscles engage.
4. Three-Legged Dog
Inhale: Lift your right leg – point or flex your foot actively. Make sure your abs are working.
READ MORE: “I Tried Kundalini Yoga And Now I Get Why People Love It”
5. Downward-Facing Dog
Exhale: Right foot back down to the mat, feet hip-width apart.
6. Child’s Pose
Rest and breath before repeating the entire yoga sequence with the left leg.
Joelle Sleebos is a yoga teacher who offers yin yoga classes at myUTOPIA and runs yoga retreats in SA and abroad. Sign up for a class at myUTOPIA – check out the schedule (they offer everything from aerial yoga to Pilates, Kundalini, Vinyasa and more) and pick your flavour.
