Flatter stomach and better posture

Can one pose help give you washboard abs, while simultaneously changing bad habits into good one?  Plank pose keeps you grounded and stabilized while engaging all the muscles in your body, especially your core. Many people have bad posture, it's just sort of become a part of us.  At times you can catch yourself slouching or hunched over but majority of the time it goes unnoticed.  Plank pose help build strength through your abdomen, shoulders, back, and spine.  It's a recipe for a flatter tummy, better posture, and toned arms. I recommend starting at 30 second intervals and working your way up to 2 minutes (remember if your tired to take child's pose-breath, then come back into it).  Although it looks simple, the problem comes with alignment and being taught the proper way to do it.  Here's some guidelines to follow:

• Start on all fours lining your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. This is the set up for cat/cow stretch which will warm up your spine and enliven your body.
• From here- inhale stretching the spine forward, lifting the gaze and tail bone toward the ceiling, while simultaneously curling the toes under. Exhale as you round the back look toward your belly button and place the tops of the feet on the floor. Let the movements start from your tailbone so the neck is the last to move- kind of like a wave affect. 
• Repeat these movements for 5 breaths (Did you know cat/cow stretch provides a gentle massage to your belly organs and spine, as well as helps tone your abs)

Great! Now your ready for plank

• From all fours step one leg back grounding all 5 toes into the ground, engaging the leg and lifting the knee cap.  Step the other leg back doing the same thing.
• Most of us are familiar with doing push ups, and plank pose is essentially the up position when doing a push up. Don't allow your hips to sag, or your butt to be lifted in the air. You want a straight line from head to toes.  If your body starts shaking that's great, it means your doing it right.   
• Make sure not to hold the breath! Quick tip- push through the soles of your feet to gain more strength and firm your abdomen.  

Embrace the pose for whatever challenge/ benefits it brings you!