Crunches are great when it comes to working the rectus abdominis, those aesthetic ‘six-pack muscles’. But did you know they’re actually not the best exercise to strengthen your ‘deep core muscles’? The ones that help keep us stable and support our lower back. These five yoga poses do just that in just 10 minutes. You don't have to be a fully-fledged ‘yogi’, either, as these are 100% beginner-friendly moves.
The transverse abdominis is the deepest muscle layer within our abdominals that runs from just below your ribs all the way down to your pelvis. It’s important for maintaining a strong core, stabilising your spine and keeping the body balanced. Increasing its strength can help prevent injury, make day-to-day activities easier, while research has shown it can even prevent and help treat lower back pain.
