Try purvottanasana to strengthen your core and back

Practice this pose to strengthen your core and tone your upper body.

Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : June 11, 2015 6:20 PM IST

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Purvottanasana or upward plank pose is an excellent pose to strengthen your core while improving your upper body strength. This pose stretches and tones the front of your shoulders and chest, your lower back, triceps and hamstrings.

Steps to do the pose:

Sit on the floor with your legs together, extended outwards.
Now place your hands a few inches behind your hips, on the floor, with your fingers pointing towards your body.
Breathing in, press your feet and hands onto the floor while you lift your hips up until your torso is parallel to the floor.
Gently, bring your shoulder blades down and tilt your head backwards. Do not compress your neck while you are in this position.
Breathe normally as you hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.
Then slowly lower your body down to get out of the pose.

This video will help you understand the steps better:

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Tip: If you find it difficult to lift your body, you can bend your knees first and then push your body up.

Word of caution: Do not perform this pose if you have a neck or wrist injury, or are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Image source: Shutterstock Images

Video source: Ekhart Yoga

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