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4 Yoga asanas for core strength and balance

by Lorraine C. Ladish March 27, 2022
written by Lorraine C. Ladish March 27, 2022
4 Asanas for core and balance

If I´ve learned something after a lifetime of body work, it´s that strengthening our core is vital, not to get six-pack abs (I don´t have them), but to protect our back and help maintain our balance. I´ve had two babies and I´m 56. Although I practice yoga daily, I still have loose skin around my middle. I usually don´t wear a shirt in class to hide it because at this age (or any age, really) who cares?

However, I´m able to stand up from the floor without using my hands, and if I trip, I can usually recover pretty fast without falling or injuring myself. Hoping I can help others feel just as strong and confident, here are four yoga poses that are also used in general fitness classes that can help any of us have a strong core and good balance at any age. 

Awkward airplane
I used to dislike this pose so very much, until I did it enough times over the years to be able to hold it with no pain! If you´re just starting out, place a block under your foot and practice simply resting it on the block, to get your hips to open and get used to the pose. Raise your arm out to the side and breathe in and out a few times, until you can no longer hold it without losing the intended shape. As you get stronger, by engaging your abs and your shoulders, you will be able to lift your leg higher. You can also modify the pose by bending the extended leg at first. Switch sides and try to balance it all out by holding the pose for the same number of breaths on each side. I promise it gets easier with practice!

4 Yoga poses to strengthen your core and improve your balance
Knee to arm

Knee to arm
In all of these exercises, form is more important than how high you lift your leg. My best shot and yours may look different, but it´s still our best. Once you´re in plank pose, making sure your arms are straight and your abs are engaged, lift your leg and bring your knee to your arm, on the same side. At first you will most likely not be able to lift your knee as high up, but it´s important that you keep your frame strong. As long as you´re feeling your muscles engaged, it is of no consequence whether your knee is touching your arm or whether it is hiked up or not. Hold the pose for a few breaths and get back into regular plank. Switch legs. 

Also read: My yoga journey in my fifties

4 Yoga poses to strengthen your core and improve your balance
Plank variation

Plank variation
Start out in regular plank, just as above, and then make sure your abs are engaged, and your legs are held strong. You should feel your kneecaps lifting as you engage the legs. Then lift just one leg at a time and hold it up (you should also feel this in your glutes). Breathe (breathing is most important and will help you hold tough poses) in and out deeply, for as long as you can hold the pose without losing the shape. Once again, how high you lift your leg is of no consequence. Form is most important. Switch legs. 

4 Yoga poses to strengthen your core and improve your balance
cat-cow variation

Cat-cow variation
Begin on all fours and do the traditional cat-cow sequence by arching your back, dropping your belly and lifting your chin as you inhale, and then rounding your back and dropping your head as you exhale. Then engage your abs further and try lifting your knees off the floor. You may continue with a cat-cow sequence or simply hold the pose right here. Either way, if your arms start to bend or you´re shaking too much, then gently drop your knees back to the floor and do traditional cat-cow until you feel stronger.

After a lifetime of bodywork, including asana yoga or yogasana, I know how important it is to have a strong core and good balance. #asana #yoga #core #balance

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Lorraine C. Ladish

I’m a 21st. Century Communicator, helping empower women and others to achieve their goals. I am the founder and CEO of Viva Fifty! a bilingual community that celebrates being 50+. I’ve worked as an editor and social media coordinator for a number of online publications. I’m a content creator and regular contributor to NBCNews, Huffpost, AARP, Babycenter and Mom.me. I’ve contributed to People en Español, La Palma of The Palm Beach Post, Purple Clover, Latina magazine and Redbook . My latest book on embracing age was published by HarperCollins in 2017. But most of all I am a woman, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a writer, an entrepreneur, a yogini.

previous post
What “yoga off the mat” means for me

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2 comments

Sheila Pasfield June 28, 2019 - 6:10 pm

I’m new at this. I want to strengthen my core and learn to relax

Reply
Lorraine C. Ladish July 1, 2019 - 1:40 pm

It is possible!

Reply

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About The Flawed Yogini

About The Flawed Yogini

Yoga & Wellness

I'm Lorraine C. Ladish, bilingual writer, mom, wife & yogi. I started my yoga & wellness journey at 12, with a book by Richard Hittleman. I have a huge flaw, an addictive and compulsive personality. In the long run, this turned out to be my biggest asset. I learned to channel it into leading a creative and productive life. At 58, I'm committed to sharing my journey to inspire others to channel their flaws into positive things and achieve greatness.

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