The Often Mentioned Core

Yogis often talk about core. And this often mentioned core is often used and often misunderstood. Many consider the core muscle to be the abdomen region. However, the core consists of various muscles from the neck down to the kneecaps, including various deep muscles. “From a fighting stance, as you throw a punch, everything that prevents you from twisting or turning can be considered a core muscle.” The core consists of the abdominal muscles groups, hip abductors/ adductors, hip flexors, the pelvic floor, and the lumbar spine. The latter, the lumbar spine, is primarily responsible for posture and stability thus providing the strength needed for the stability especially utilized in dynamic sports.

Abdominal Muscles
Abdominal key muscles:

  • Transverse abdomens
  • Internal obliques
  • External obliques
  • Rectus abdomens


Buttocks and Hip abductors/adductors key muscles:

  • Adductors (adducts the hips):
  • Adductor brevis.
  • Adductor longus.
  • Adductor magnus
  • Adductor minimus (Often considered to be a part of adductor magnus.)
  • Pectineus
  • Gracilis
  • Obturator externus
  • Gluteus medius
  • Gluteus minimus
  • Tensor fasciae latae


Pelvic floor key muscles:

  • Coccygeus muscle
  • Levator ani
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar spine’s key muscles:

  • Multifidus
  • Longissimus
  • Spinalis

 
In Assessment of Core Stability: Developing Practical Models, Andy Walden states that there are “five different components of core stability: strength, endurance, flexibility, motor control, and function.” Thus, it is essential to incorporate asanas that target the core in one’s yoga practice. The main function the core is to stabilize the spine. Asanas that help strengthen the core include,

  • Setu Bandha Sarvangasana / Bridge
  • Plank
  • Chaturanga / low push up
  • Utkatasana / Chair
  • Ustrasana / Camel
  • Arm balances (i.e. crow, eka pada koundinyasana)

 
Debbie Trinh (200hr YTT weekend class)
 
References:

Do You Know What Your Core Really Is and What it Does?

At the Core of It: Creating Strength and Tension in the Body


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_stability