| Yoga is a great part of any wellness routine, as it has | | | | are using your back muscles to lift your upper body, |
| the ability to both reduce stress and exercise the | | | | performing the asana will assist in reducing belly fat |
| body. If you are trying to use yoga to target your | | | | and flattening your tummy. |
| midsection, well, that can be done. There are a | | | | The Bow |
| number of yoga positions (called asanas) which | | | | This stomach exercise is pretty similar to the |
| exercise the stomach muscles. Bear in mind that | | | | previous asana, but more involved. It starts from the |
| some of these are more advanced than other. | | | | same position lying on your stomach, but in this |
| Assess your own skill and comfort level before trying | | | | exercise you curl your legs upward in addition to |
| certain asanas. If you are not sure you are able to | | | | lifting your upper torso. Bend your knees so that the |
| do one asana, start with one that seems easier and | | | | soles of your feet come up toward your head. Grab |
| work your way up once you have belt some | | | | your ankles and pull with your hands and push with |
| strength and flexibility. As with any workout routine, | | | | your legs until only your stomach is on the floor. Your |
| be sure to consult a professional before beginning | | | | body should feel sort of like it is making a circle. Your |
| and always warm up properly to avoid injury. | | | | knees should remain together throughout the |
| Pavan-Muktasan | | | | exercise. Hold this position for thirty seconds before |
| To perform this stomach-exercising asana, first lie flat | | | | releasing and returning to starting position. |
| on your back. Use a yoga mat of towel to cushion | | | | Paad-Pashchimottanasan |
| the spine. Bend both knees up to your chest so that | | | | Now that you have read the name of this asana, try |
| your thigh touches the stomach. Hug your knees in | | | | not to be intimidated-- it is less complicated in |
| place and lock your fingers. Now lift your head up so | | | | practice than in pronunciation. It does, however, |
| your nose meets your knees. Take a deep breath | | | | require a fair amount of flexibility, so you may want |
| and hold it for thirty seconds before releasing and | | | | to start with something easier and build up to this |
| slowly lowering back to start. This exercise can also | | | | one. Start by lying on your back with your legs |
| be done one leg at a time. | | | | straight and arms overhead. Your body should be |
| Bhujangasan | | | | straight from head to toe with all limbs extended. |
| For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor, but | | | | Point your palms up to the ceiling and put your hands |
| roll over on to your stomach. Position your hand | | | | together. Contract your stomach muscles to sit up, |
| under your shoulders. Now, using your back muscles, | | | | keeping your back straight and hands overhead. Bend |
| raise your upper torso off the ground to that your | | | | forward and grab your toes with your hands, putting |
| head is upright. Be careful not to push with your | | | | your head between your arms so it touches your |
| hands. You want the muscles in your back to be | | | | knees. Hold the position for two minutes before |
| doing the work. Hold this posture for thirty seconds, | | | | releasing. |
| then lower yourself back to start. Even though you | | | | |