Excess belly fat or a 'hanging belly' can be a common concern for many individuals. Here are seven yoga poses to target the abdominal area.
Navasana
Sit on the floor, extend your arms forward, and balance on your sitting bones. This pose works the entire core, toning the abdominal muscles and improving core stability.
Phalakasana
Begin by doing a push-up with your hands beneath your shoulders. Engage your core and maintain a straight line from head to heels. This pose targets your entire core.
Dhanurasana
Lie on your stomach and reach back to grip your ankles. Lift your torso and thighs off the ground to form a bow. Bow position helps strengthen the abdominal muscles.
Bhujangasana
Lie on your stomach, place your palms beside your shoulders, and lift your chest off the ground while keeping your pelvis grounded. Cobra pose strengthens the core and stretches the abdominal muscles.
Navasana With Leg Lifts
From the navasana, extend one leg out at a time while maintaining balance. This variation challenges the core muscles even further, specifically targeting the lower abdominal region.
Plank Knee-to-Elbow
Begin in a plank posture and bring your right knee to your right elbow, then alternate with the left knee and elbow. This pose works the entire core, including the obliques.
Setu Bandhasana
Lie on your back, knees bent, and feet hip-width apart. Form a bridge with your body by raising your hips off the ground. Bridge position strengthens the core, especially the abdominal muscles.
Pro-tip
To get the most out of these asana, make sure to practise them with proper alignment and breathing methods.