How can I get a naturally flat stomach? Try these 9 yoga poses to tone your core

Are you worried about stubborn belly fat that won’t go away no matter how many crunches you do? Well, that’s not the only way to achieve your goal. While working out and dieting may be the norm, yoga is an incredibly effective way to tone your core and flatten your stomach. But how does yoga actually help reduce belly fat? The answer lies in how certain yoga poses strengthen your core muscles, improve digestion, and reduce stress, a major cause of fat storage. With consistent daily practice, yoga not only strengthens your abdominal muscles, but also helps balance your hormones and metabolism.

yoga poses to flatten your stomach

Here are the 9 best yoga poses that will help you strengthen your core muscles and flatten your stomach.

1. Rabbit Pose (Shashankasana)

This pose helps massage your abdominal organs, relieves bloating, and stretches your back and core. It’s also great for reducing stress, which is the hidden cause of belly fat.

procedure:

• Kneel on your mat and sit on your heels.
• Take a deep breath and raise your arms above your head.
• As you exhale, lean forward and place your forehead on the mat and your hands at your sides.
• Hold for a few breaths, then slowly return to the starting position.

2. Crazing (Bhujasana)

“Cobra pose strengthens your abdominal muscles while stretching your upper body,” yoga expert Siddha Akshar of Himalaya tells Healthshot. As you lift, you will feel your stomach tighten, and over time your midsection will tone and tighten.

procedure:

• Lie face down and place your palms under your shoulders.
• Press your feet into the mat and inhale as you lift your chest.
• Keep your elbows close to your body and look ahead.
• Hold for 15-20 seconds and then release.

3. Plank Pose (Falakasana)

Plank is one of the best poses to strengthen your core. Targets the entire abdomen and improves endurance and posture.

procedure:

• Get on all fours and extend your legs behind you to form a straight line.
• Keep your wrists under your shoulders and keep your core engaged.
• Hold this position for 20 to 40 seconds, breathing steadily.

4. Side Plank (Vasisthasana)

Akshar says, “This pose strengthens your obliques, the muscles along your flanks, and adds definition to your waist.”

procedure:

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• From plank pose, shift your weight to the side of one hand and foot.
• Stack your legs and lift your other arm toward the ceiling.
• Keep your body in a straight line and hold.

5. Boat Pose (Navasana)

Boat pose is good for your abdominal muscles and helps flatten your stomach. You’ll instantly work your core muscles and feel an increase in strength and stability.

procedure:

• Sit with your knees bent and your feet flat.
• Lean back slightly, raise your legs, and balance on your sitting bones.
• Stretch your arms out in front of you and hold for a few breaths.

6. Bridge Pose (Centuration)

This pose tones the lower abdomen and glutes while improving digestion and blood flow.

procedure:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat.
• Lift your hips while pressing your feet into the mat.
• Clasp your hands under your back and hold for a few seconds.

7. Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana)

“Strengthens your shoulders and core while stimulating your digestive system, which is great for flattening your stomach naturally,” suggests Akshar.

procedure:

• Start on your hands and knees.
• Lower your forearms to the mat and tuck your toes underneath.
• Lift your hips high to form an inverted “V” shape.

8. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

This pose tightens the lower back, increases flexibility in the flanks and hips, and improves overall balance and digestion.

procedure:

• Stand with your legs wide apart.
• Step one leg out and extend your arms out to the side.
• Bend toward your front leg, touching your ankle or shin.

9. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

A full-body pose that strengthens your core, strengthens your arms, and improves blood circulation.

procedure:

• Start on your hands and knees.
• Lift your hips up and straighten your legs and arms.
• Keep your heels pressed into the floor.

So, make sure to perform these yoga poses regularly to get quick results.