Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated: May 15, 2017, 10:36 AM
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Yes, yoga improves flexibility and calms your mind, but yoga can also strengthen your core and give you those toned abs. Try these yoga poses recommended by yoga expert Pragya Bhatt that tones your entire midsection, both back and front.
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Purvottanasana or upward plank pose: This 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.
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Vasisthasana: Vasisthasana or the sage pose is an arm balancing yoga pose that will target your core and torso. Hold the pose for five deep breaths and then repeat on the other side for another five.
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Bakasana: The balancing crow pose or bakasana works on your core and your upper arms, shoulders and upper back. Stay in the crow pose for five breaths. Gazing on the ground will help you better balance in this pose.
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Dandasana: You may perform the dandasana, or the staff pose repeatedly when you perform surya namaskar, but in the 12-pose surya namaskar sequence you hold the pose only for a second. Staying in this pose for longer will not only target your core but also work on your entire midsection.
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Naukasana: Balancing in naukasana or the boat pose will challenge your entire midsection and your obliques. Hold the pose for 8 to 10 seconds and repeat it five times.
