Yoga can help strengthen and tone the muscles of your side abs, also known as the obliques, by targeting them in specific yoga poses.
Yoga Oblique exercises are great for shedding side fat. Yoga for side abs will improve core strength, keep your spine straight and stable as well as help to reduce strain on the spine and prevent injuries by improving posture and balance. Therefore, it is important that you must include oblique exercises in your yoga workout routine to keep your side abs strong and flexible.
Here are a few yoga poses that can be particularly effective in targeting your side abs:
Yoga For Side Abs: Poses to Strengthen and Tone Your Abs
Certain yoga moves, like side plank, Triangle, Chair, and boat pose, are especially effective for toned and sculpted abs. Plus, almost all are especially fantastic for building core stability and developing strong, visible abs.
Triangle Pose
Trikonasana is one such exercise which can be beneficial in improving blood circulation by better stretching of the muscles. During the practice of this yoga, the body needs to be stretched on the right and left sides, which increases the activation of the muscles of the back, arms and legs and strengthens your core, including your obliques, while also stretching your hamstrings and hips.
First of all, stand straight by keeping a distance of about 3-4 feet between the feet. Now turn your right leg outward and as you exhale, twist your body to the right. Your left hand simultaneously up and touch the floor with the right hand. Both the hands should be in a straight line. Stay in this position for 15 seconds. While breathing, come back to the previous position. Repeat the same on the other side as well.
Chair Pose
This pose targets your obliques, while also stretching your spine and strengthening your legs.The pose is a standing balancing pose that strengthens the legs, glutes and core, while also improving overall balance and stability.
To perform chair pose, start in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart. Inhale and raise your arms up, then exhale and bend your knees as if you were sitting back in a chair. Lift your chest and keep your weight in your heels, and maintain the pose for several breaths.
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Utthita Parsvakonasana engage the rib cage are beneficial to the obliques and side abs. This pose develops a strong sense of core awareness as well as your balance and posture. It not only work your ab muscles, but also improve the flexibility of your spine and strengthen your lower and middle back.
Stand straight, now spread your right leg to a distance of 1.5 (one and a half) meters from the right leg, bend the right leg to the right side of the body so that the toes of the feet are on the outer side of the body. Exhaling, bend the right knee 90 degrees and rest your torso on the thigh, placing the right hand on the ground next to the right foot. While inhaling, extend the left arm above the head, in this position your biceps should touch the left ear, now look at the fingers of the left hand.
Plank Pose (Phalakasana)
Phalakasana improves posture, balance and keeps your spine aligned and healthy. Stretches the muscles of the thighs and calves. Endurance and stamina increases in your body.
Start in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart. Keep your body in a straight line, engage your core muscles, and hold this asana for five cycles of long and deep breathing.
Boat Pose (Navasana)
One of the most well-known yoga poses for core strength, Boat Pose tones the abdominal muscles while strengthening the low back and strengthens your core, including your obliques, while also improving your balance.
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Lift your feet off the ground and balance on your sit bones. Extend your arms forward and hold the pose for 30-60 seconds.
Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana)
Side Plank pose is a balancing asana in modern yoga as exercise. It strengthens the entire side of your body, including your obliques. Also this pose strengthen your obliques to sculpt the abs.
Start in a plank position, then shift your weight onto your left hand and rotate your body to the side. Stack your feet on top of each other and extend your right arm towards the ceiling. Hold the pose for 30-60 seconds, then switch sides.
Conclusion
Yoga can be a great way to tone and sculpt your abs, but it’s important to note that no single exercise or practice can guarantee results. To see real changes in your abdominal muscles, it’s important to combine regular yoga practice with a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine.
