Yoga Poses for Your Abdominals
Strengthening your abdominal muscles helps improve balance, mobility, flexibility, and more. Use these step-by-step instructions of yoga poses for your abdominals to firm and fire up your core.
Latest in Yoga Poses for Your Abdominals
It’s Time to Get to Know Your Abdominal Muscles
Your abs are (literally) at the center of everything.
The Most Underrated Yoga Pose for Core-Strengthening
Tired of Boat Pose? You need to try Lolasana.
Forearm Plank | Dolphin Plank Pose
A modification of Plank Pose, Forearm Plank strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.
Eight-Angle Pose
Fire up your abs for this difficult asymmetrical arm balance, Eight-Angle Pose.
Reverse Plank | Upward Plank Pose
Purvottanasana counteracts the effects of Chaturanga by stretching the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and anterior deltoids.
5 Not-So-Intense Variations For Side Plank
Challenge your balance and stretch your body in all the same ways as Vasisthasana, while dialing down the difficulty.
Side Crow Pose | Side Crane Pose
The key to Parsva Bakasana is twisting enough to place the outer edge of one upper arm far around the outside of the opposite thigh.
Upward-Facing Dog Pose
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, a well-known backbend, will challenge you to lift and open your chest.
Crow Pose | Crane Pose
A compact arm balance, Crow Pose and Crane Pose tone the abs and the arms, strengthen in the core, and focus the mind.
Warrior 2 Pose
Named for a legendary warrior, Virabhadrasana 2 strengthens your quads, shoulders, and core—not to mention your stamina and inner resolve.
Staff Pose
It might look straightforward, but there's more to Dandasana than meets the eye.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi III
Sometimes called the Sage's Pose, Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi III (Marichyasana III) is a wise addition to any practice.
6 Yoga Poses That Will Tone Your Entire Body
Trade in your gym workouts for these postures, which shape stronger legs, arms, and core.
Warrior 3 Pose
A standing posture centered around balance, Virabhadrasana III will strengthen your legs, ankles, and core.
Side Plank Pose
When's the last time you reminded yourself that you can do difficult things?
Four-Limbed Staff Pose | Chaturanga Dandasana
Chaturanga Dandasana is not merely a push-up. This pivotal yoga pose is instrumental—so it's important to practice it properly.
Extended Triangle Pose
Extended Triangle Pose is a quintessential standing pose that stretches and strengthens the whole body.
Bridge Pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana can be whatever you need—energizing, rejuvenating, or luxuriously restorative.
10 Poses to Build Strength & Stability in Your Core
The steadiness you'll gain in this practice will connect you to all aspects of your core—beyond just your muscles.
Extended Side Angle Pose
Find length in your side body, from your heel to your fingertips with Extended Side Angle Pose.
Skip the Gym. These Are the Best Yoga Poses for Strength
Suddenly, your practice just became a lot stronger (literally).
Warrior 1 Pose
Virabhadrasana 1 is a foundational yoga pose that balances flexibility and strength in true warrior fashion.
These 10-Minute Yoga Ab Workouts Will Torch Your Core
We promise you'll feel the burn.
5 Poses to Strengthen Your Lower Back and Core—All Without Standing Up
If you’ve found yourself lying on the floor often over the past year-plus, this practice is for you.
Not a Fan of Crunches? Try These 5 Standing Yoga Poses for Core Strength
And they take less than 15 minutes.
Firefly Pose
Want to fly? Fire up your core. Firefly pose is an arm balance pose that requires more core strength than arm strength.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I
Folding into Marichyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I calms your mind, extends your spine, and gives your internal organs a healthy squeeze.
7 Yoga Poses to Work Those Easily Overlooked Lower Abs
These single-leg poses and twists activate your abdominal muscles to improve your posture and reduce lower back pain.
The Only Yoga Poses You Need to Build Strong Abs
These four yoga poses—coupled with a focus on stability and your breath—can help build core strength and improve your overall practice.
Plank Pose
Nurture your love-hate relationship with Plank Pose. A beginner's best friend, it's the perfect precursor to more challenging arm balances.
7 Poses to Take Your Core Strength to the Next Level
No offense to crop tops, but washboard abs don't necessarily equate to a strong core. These creative spins on Tabletop can help you access your deepest ab muscles, which are essential to building core stability.
Why Your Diaphragm Could Be the Core Strength Game-Changer You’ve Overlooked
You can rock Plank pose, but did you know that your diaphragm might be your secret weapon when it comes to strengthening your core?
5 Yoga Moves to Build Your Core Strength
Incorporate these poses into your daily routine to strengthen your core muscles and help you maintain a strong and flexible spine.
The Abdominal Crunch Yogis Actually Need (Sorry)
Want to unleash the true potential of your middle? Turns out crunches—yes, the exercise you’ve avoided for years in favor of holding Plank—are key to a stronger core and more stable yoga practice. Discover how they can serve you in every pose.
Two Fit Moms: 4 Belly-Toning Core Exercises
Here are 4 yoga-inspired, belly-toning exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home, on your own time.
10 Yoga Poses for Strong Abs
Leah Cullis offers 10 poses that tone your abs and strengthen your core, helping you tap into your personal power on and off the mat.
16 Poses for a Strong + Stable Core
This is a practice for mothers, focused on building your core—physical and emotional—to sustain you through the overwhelming love and challenges of motherhood.
The Ultimate Core Prep for Slackline Yoga
Steal these three three core-building balance moves from The YogaSlackers to cultivate slackline-ready strength.
Two Fit Moms’ Picks: 8 Best Yoga Poses for the Core
Just in time for summer, here are Two Fit Moms' top 8 yoga poses to work the core.
7 Core Power Poses for Summer—FREE With YJ App
Check out YJ Editors's author page.
Challenge Pose: 5 Steps to Move into Eka Pada Koundinyasana I
Find length and stay centered to lift step by step into the One-Footed Pose dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I.
3 Safe-Alignment Modifications for Chaturanga Dandasana
Try these subtle, yet safe tweaks to Chaturanga if you struggle with the pose.
7 Steps to Master Chaturanga Dandasana
Yoga teacher Natasha Rizopoulos shares her instructions to achieve this foundational pose. Plus, reap the benefits and avoid these mistakes.
Steel Your Abs: Upward Extended Foot Pose
Add Upward Extended Foot Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Padasana) to your practice for flat abs.
Plank Pose: Your Ticket to Power and Grace
Build the power and foundation you need to transition between poses.
Get Strong + Flexi for Arm Balancing
Take a playful approach to building strength and flexibility in your torso with arm balances.
A Better Way to Sit: Garland Pose
Yogis do it better—yet again. Trade your slouch for a squat to strengthen your ankles and abs and extend your spine.
Strong to Your Core: Full Boat Pose
Sure, a crunch works your abs, but Boat Pose? It can build strength all the way to the core of your very being.
Get Strong and Shine On: Half Moon Pose
Once you find balance in Half Moon Pose, radiate and extend in all directions to strengthen your legs, hips, and core.
Learn to Backbend Better: Locust Pose
The best preparation for a big backbend is a baby one. Locust Pose works the actions and strength needed for bigger bends.
Got Tight Quads? Yes, You Can Still Enjoy Supta Virasana
Don't let tight quadriceps keep you from one of yoga's most relaxing poses: Supta Virasana.
Shoulder-Pressing Pose
This arm balance, Bhujapidasana, relies more on precise positioning than on strength, making it more accessible for students beginning an arm balancing practice.
Peacock Pose
According to Hindu lore, the Peacock symbolizes immortality, love, and patience. Peacock Pose, called Mayurasana in Sanskrit, works to lovingly strengthen the core while stretching the palm side of the wrists.
More Than a Pushup: Get the Most Out of Chaturanga Dandasana
"Four-Limbed Staff Pose" says it all. This pose becomes much easier when the rest of your body pitches in. Learn how to get the most out of this challenging pose.
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II allows you to stretch the entire front body and deep into the hip flexors to strengthen your back and improve posture.
High Lunge, Crescent Variation
This variation of High Lunge, sometimes called Crescent Pose, is a great preparation for the full version of Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose).
Standing Half Forward Bend
Find length in front body before forward folding in Ardha Uttanasana.
Upward Salute
Urdhva Hastasana translates to "Raised Hands Pose," but it is also sometimes called Talasana, the Palm Tree Pose.
UPP, AKA The Ultimate Psoas Pose
Forget crunche, have you met Urdhva Prasarita Padasana? It's a key yoga ab toner and back strengthener.
Want Cut Arms? Try Pendant Pose
Most yoga poses fall into the harder-than-it-looks category. Lolasana? Well, give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Can Yoga Heal Hernias?
Yoga poses might help take the pressure off the abdominal wall.
Recommended Poses for Parkinson’s Disease
Check out Peggy van Hulsteyn's author page.
Extended Puppy Pose
A cross between Child's Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, Extended Puppy Pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II tones the belly and spine, strengthens the arms and wrists, and gives your self-confidence a big boost.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I
Eka Pada Koundinyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I has a lot going on—the twist, the legs going their separate ways, oh, and the arm balance. Master it.
Upward Facing Two-Foot Staff Pose
Can you practice Wheel with straight arms and Headstand without strain? Then, you're ready.
King Pigeon Pose
Kapotasana invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. This extremely deep backbend is appropriate for advanced practitioners only.
Half Frog Pose
Ease up into Half Frog Pose, called Ardha Bhekasana in Sanskrit. This pose strengthens the back while gently opening up the shoulders, chest, and thighs—a loving treat for the entire body.
Smooth Sailing
Check out Julie Gudmestad's author page.
Scale Pose
Strengthen your wrists, arms, and abs, hanging in the balance of Tolasana.
Upward Abdominal Lock
"Even an old person can become young when [Uddiyana Bandha] is done regularly" (Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika 3.58).
Live Big, Get Bold: Boat Pose
When life has you dying to curl up into Child's Pose, try empowering Boat Pose instead to recharge your spirit.
Redefining Great Abs
Check out Carol Krucoff's author page.
Rope Pose
In this challenging version of a twist, your arms wrap around your legs so your hands can clasp behind the back, almost like a lasso or a snare.
Reclining Hero Pose
Lay Virasana back and to take the stretch in the thighs and ankles up a notch.
Fish Pose
Boost the body's energy and fight fatigue with Fish Pose, or Matsyasana in Sanskrit, while building confidence with a loving stretch in the shoulders. It is said that if you perform Matsyasana in water, you will be able to float like a fish.
Half Moon Pose
Say hello to leg and ankle strength as you seek stability and extend into this balancing pose, Half Moon Pose.
Wheel Pose | Upward-Facing Bow Pose
Need an energy boost? Urdhva Dhanurasana can help—and strengthen your arms, legs, abdomen, and spine in the process.