Yoga for a Strong Core
By Donna Stark
While looking good at the beach or gym is a great motivator for working on your abs, it isn’t the only reason to get your core in shape. Your core muscles have a lot more importance than simply being the focal point of your latest Instagram picture. In fact, they are so important that your body wouldn’t be able to function at an optimal level if they weren’t working the way they should. To put it simply, they are your body’s central source of power, and even though that Instagram picture may turn out looking great, there are a plethora of other reasons for working on your core.
Powering Your Power Source
Your core muscles are your body’s powerhouse and protector. You see, most of our movements start at the center of the body and move outward; it’s where we get our power from. In addition to that, the core also protects the body’s most vital organs, arteries, and central nervous system So you want to make sure that those muscles are not only strong but stable as well. Here are some reasons on why it is so important to work those abs for your health, and not just for that picture.
- Prevents lower back pain
- Supports and stabilizes the torso
- Protects the spinal cord, organs, and arteries
- Improves athletic performance
- Increases endurance
- Improves your balance
- Reduces your risk of injury
- Improves posture
- Enhances your breathing
- Maintains the nervous system
If you have ever experienced an injury, you may have noticed how the other muscles in your body stepped in to compensate for the part of your body you couldn’t use. Well, the same is also true when you have weak core muscles. You are more likely to experience aches, pains, and injuries when your core lacks strength because the other muscles are forced to step up. So what can you do?
Core Muscles Love Yoga
There are so many exercises that you can do to strengthen your core, but the most impactful one is yoga. Let’s take a look at how yoga can help you build your core strength.
- Improves flexibility, balance, and mobility
- Activates the body’s deep abdominal and pelvic muscles
- Strengthens the lower back muscles, the obliques, and the upper and lower abs
- Tones flank muscles
- Opens your spine
It’s about time that we start appreciating our core muscles for more than that rock hard six-pack. It’s also time to recognize that although we often feel better when we look better, we always feel better when we are better. Keeping your core strong is critical to maintaining great health and yoga is the perfect exercise to do so. So grab your mat and your inner peace, and then head on out to your local yoga studio. It’s a great way to power-up your body’s natural source of power.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temecula, Calif.