The Discipline: Yogi Ab Workout of Death.

So, I mentioned in a prior post that I have been doing an abdominal workout daily. Here is the rundown of the workout, if you are interested in keeping up. This workout was created by Ally at Santa Monica Power Yoga, and it is absolutely brutal. Her students call it the "ab workout of death" because she is basically the slave driver of your core strength. Here's how it goes:

1. Start by engaging your core in Dolphin pose.

Keep your body straight and your hands clasped, propping yourself on your forearms and flexed toes. Do this for 1-2 minutes, keeping your low belly engaged and flat.

2. Sit up in Boat pose, then shift your torso & arms to the right side then left side then back to the middle:

3. Then, from Boat pose, lower your torso and legs without touching the ground, then come back up to Boat. Repeat 10 or so times.

4. Lift your legs into the air and lower your torso so your shoulder blades are off the ground. Reach up with your right arm, then over with your left arm, switching back and forth as if you are climbing a rope above you. Do this for 1-2 minutes.

5. No pictures for this one, but for at least 30 seconds lay on your back with your legs straight in front of you, 3 inches from the floor. Slowly lower your right leg then switch to your left leg. Then scissor kick your legs still 3 inches from the floor for another 30 seconds minimum.

6. At least 1-2 minutes of crunches, touching your left elbow to right leg then right elbow to left leg.