| Core abdominal training and power is perhaps the | | | | Slow and steady is the golden rule. |
| most important aspect of physical fitness, and yoga is | | | | 2. Double Yoga Leg Lifts: |
| an excellent science to help target and develop this | | | | Once you complete your single leg lifts take a short |
| region. According to yoga, the abdominal area is | | | | break and then try the same exercise but this time lift |
| governed by the Solar Plexus Chakra, called the | | | | both legs together is a smooth motion to ninety |
| Manipura Chakra in Sanskrit, and this chakra is | | | | degrees and then back down. Again try to keep the |
| responsible for not just providing the body with the | | | | legs as straight as possible. Keep the hands |
| physical energy it needs, but is also responsible for | | | | underneath the buttocks as above to support the |
| your willpower and strength of character. | | | | lower back. |
| Yoga abdominal exercises work on many dimensions | | | | 3. Criss-Cross Legs: |
| of your being. They not just tone and strengthen the | | | | You will find the above two exercise really target the |
| stomach muscles, but they also open and balance the | | | | central abs, and this exercise will attack the obliques, |
| Manipura Chakra mentioned above. Thus, not only is | | | | which are the stomach muscles that line the side of |
| your core strength and power improved, but, also your | | | | the abdominal. For this exercise, again remain on your |
| willpower and strength of character developed. In this | | | | back with the hands underneath your buttocks palms |
| article I will give three excellent yoga exercises for | | | | facing down, then raise your legs twelve to eighteen |
| developing this all important center. | | | | inches above the floor and keeping the toes pointed |
| 1. Single Yoga Leg Lifts: | | | | begin to rapidly criss-cross them. |
| Lie on your back with your hands underneath your | | | | By criss-cross here, I mean that let the legs cross over |
| buttocks palms facing down. The hand position is to | | | | each other at the ankles, where fist the right leg |
| support your lower back. If you feel pressure or | | | | crosses over the top of the left, and then the left |
| discomfort in your lower back, go ahead and roll more | | | | crosses over the the top of the right. This action will |
| of your arms underneath you, this will give even more | | | | really work the stomach muscles and is excellent |
| lower back support. | | | | training for abdominal strength and toning. |
| Now lift your left leg up to ninety degrees in a slow, | | | | Summary: |
| smooth motion keeping it as straight at the knee as | | | | So there you have three excellent exercises for toning |
| possible. Inhale as you lift you lift up, then exhale and | | | | and strengthening your abdominal muscles and |
| bring the leg back down. Next repeat this exercise | | | | activating the Solar Plexus Chakra. These exercises |
| with the right leg. Continue in this fashion, lifting alternate | | | | also provide the added benefit of helping your |
| legs to ninety degrees for one to three minutes. | | | | digestive system and is an excellent set for those who |
| Take a break in between if you need to. Remember | | | | are just starting out their yoga practice. |
| never to overdo anything when it comes to yoga. | | | | |