Seven Yoga Poses to Build Core Strength A strong core helps your entire body stay balanced & stable. When your core muscles work well they support better posture and protect you from getting hurt. Yoga gives you many different poses that make these muscles stronger while improving how your whole body functions.
Plank Pose (Phalakasana)
Plank Pose is one of the most effective yoga positions for activating the entire core—engaging the abs, obliques, and lower back. Begin in a push-up position, ensuring your body forms a straight line from head to heels. Your arms should be directly under your shoulders. Tighten your abdominal muscles to prevent the hips from drooping. Hold the pose for as long as you can, maintaining full-body engagement throughout.
Boat Pose (Navasana)
Boat Pose is ideal for strengthening the lower abdominal muscles and hip flexors. Start seated on the ground, lean back slightly, and lift your legs to create a V-shape with your body. Balance on your sit bones with your legs straight and arms reaching forward. Keep the core muscles active to stay stable. This posture enhances abdominal strength, balance, and concentration.
Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)
Warrior III is a balance-intensive pose that significantly strengthens the core. Begin standing and extend one leg backward while leaning forward, bringing your arms out in front of you. Your entire body should align parallel to the ground. The core muscles stabilize your body and help maintain balance, while also building strength and control in the abdominals and supporting muscles.
Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana)
Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, shoulders, and arms. Start in a downward dog, then lower your forearms to the ground, keeping your hips lifted and legs straight. Your core works hard to maintain the alignment and hold the position. This pose boosts core endurance, improves shoulder strength, and enhances full-body coordination.
Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana)
Side Plank targets the oblique muscles, which are vital for core rotation and lateral stability. From a traditional plank, shift to one side, stacking your feet and lifting your top arm. Balance on one arm and the side of one foot. This challenging pose improves side-body strength, core stability, and balance.
Locust Pose (Salabhasana)
Locust Pose builds strength in the lower back and engages the full posterior chain. Lie face down with arms beside you and legs extended. Lift your chest, arms, and legs off the floor simultaneously. Engage your core to stay lifted. This pose enhances spinal flexibility, strengthens glutes and back muscles, and supports better posture.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Bridge Pose works the lower back, glutes, and core muscles. Lie on your back with bent knees and feet flat on the floor. Press into your feet and lift your hips toward the ceiling, engaging the core and keeping thighs parallel. This pose boosts core strength, improves spinal flexibility, and helps open the chest area.
