Instead, were all about working our core while doing things that are way more fun.
We sat down with instructorsKatie RicheyandBrooke Eastonto have a candid conversation about all-things-abs.
Katie Richey: Brooke, you have pretty dope abs.
How often do you work on them?
Brooke Easton:Every time I practice!
Even if Im just doing a 20-minute yoga sequence at home, abs are a part of that.
But I dont ever work my abs specifically.
Theyre a result of my practice.
KR:Yeah, same.
I never do a dedicated ab workout because the way we practice yoga is an ab workout itself.
You dont have to spend a bunch of time lying on the ground doing crunches.
BE: I like to say that you have rockstar-status abs.
Whats your relationship like with them?
KR:Well its much better since doing yoga!
I can do cool stuff, like handstands.
And its way more fun than worrying about what my stomach looks like in a bikini.
BE:Totally.
In the past Ive been so concerned with how my stomach lookshaving a flat stomach, all that stuff.
Our culture glorifies the idea of having a six-pack.
But now Ive realized you dont have to have the perfect body to be super strong.
KR: So if your abs could talk, what would they say?
BE:Feed me ice cream!
and, Lets do more planks.
Holding a plank is a really powerful feeling.
You end with such a feeling of accomplishment.
Like hell yeah, I said I was going to do that, and I did it!
KR: Do you have any good ab tips or secrets?
BE:Yeah, a lot of times people do abs just to get them done.
Like five minutes of sit-ups, or 100 crunches, just to say they did them.
But you should really focus.
Focus on getting the form right, on keeping the core engaged.
KR:And breathe!
People always hold their breath during abs sequences, or theyll do quick, short exhales.
Im a huge proponent of breathing deeply and slowly.
BE: Whats your favorite ab exercise?
KR:Leap frogs!
Theyre super fun, and theyre super effective.
To do it, start by coming into Downward Dog with your hands flat on the mat.
Walk your feet forward and shift your body so that your shoulders are stacked directly over your wrists.
With hips lifted, raise on to the balls of your feet and bring your ankles to touch.
Bend your legs, keeping knees wide and pointed out to sides.
Now hop up, lifting your butt straight up toward the sky while keeping your abs tight.
Keep your arms super straight the whole time, and your gaze down.
Repeat until you cant do anymore.
Fire up that coreand just hold the hovering position.
I love this because its a static hold, so theres a mental aspect involved.
You have to feel the pose happening and feel your body shaking.
Its totally brings self-awareness into play.
When youre doing bicycles, youre just counting, waiting to get to 100 or however many youre doing.
Thanks for the ab-intel, ladies!
