Yoga for core conditioning!

Core conditioning for handstand and other arm balances | This full core strength yoga class is for all levels. It's a pure core-asana-only class! Practiced regularly, it will intelligently build your inner (true) core strength, which is especially great to prepare you for your handstands and any other kind of elevations. It will also prevent and relieve back and neck pain. As some of my viewers asked for core strengthening exercises that don't require too much of neck strength, this class is for you!

How important is your 'core'?

While we may live in abs crazy times, the truth is that the core is a very important part of our body. The core muscles include your mid-section, abdomen section, pelvic muscles and the muscles of your lower back. These core muscles literally hold your body up and provide stability to your spine. Most lower- back injuries occur due to weak core muscles.

The abs are however far more important than just an aesthetically-pleasing look, they actually hold up your entire structure. They comprise transverse abdominal, internal obliques, external obliques and rectus abdominis. What these muscles do:

• The transversus abdominis is the deepest muscle and it has a tremendous effect on body posture as it supports the spine.
• The internal obliques are on the sides and slightly less deep and helps in rotation, bending and supporting the spine.
• The external obliques are one both sides of the torso and also helps in rotation, bending and supporting.
• The rectus abdominis is the visible abdominal muscle in the front and is the least important of all the muscles. It's the one responsible for the six-pack look and its main purpose is to provide body posture.

You may also like to read:

• 12 yoga poses for weight loss
• 10 yoga poses to keep diabetes under control (gallery)
• 4 yoga poses to beat menstrual pain that really work

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