9/5/2024: Core Stability and Awareness

Do you have a yoga block around the house? (If not, consider getting a couple.) It’s a great tool for becoming aware of how your core functions as a stabilizing force.

How? By placing it longways in between your thighs as you hold or move through certain yoga poses. Make sure you’re breathing, and squeeze the yoga block with your leg muscles with each exhale. That way, you’re activating the whole core stabilization complex – hips, glutes, navel center and low back.

And to illustrate, I found two of my favorite old (at least 10 years ago) photos! In the first, I’m doing Chair pose in Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers, and I’m trying to align myself with the tree behind me. A friend saw the photo and told me it looks like I’m yelling at my shoes!

In the second, I’m in Down Dog while our dog Peanut watches. She lived to a good old age before she passed away peacefully two years ago. (We have two awesome rescue dogs now!)

The third is more recent – me at home in long-arm (top of a push-up) Plank. You could also try the forearm version. And though I don’t have a photo, you could also try Bridge – either holding it or lifting up and lowering down (exhale and squeeze on the way up).

I don’t have a yoga block in any of the photos, but in each position my legs are wide enough apart that a yoga block could fit. Think of where you place your feet when standing in Mountain – in fact, you could stand in Mountain with the block, too.

As always, I’d love to answer your questions, or have you tell me how these tips work for you!