August

Happy August hot summer Yogis!  This month's challenge is simple but don't be fooled...you WILL FEEL core muscles activate and build through progressive situps.  Be sure your feet are well anchored to relieve some pressure from your low back, support your neck so the lift is not coming from here and BREATHE! (exhale as you sit up, inhale on the way down). This movement primarily targets your Rectus Abdominus (aka. the 6-pack) so should be felt primarily in the area between the ribs and hips, not the neck!

Situp form; Lay on your back with knees lifted and feet down, possibly hooked under a bar or some furniture for leverage.  If you are working with a partner, they may hold your feet. Interlace your fingers behind your head with thumbs running down the neck.  Using abdominal muscles sit yourself all the way up so the length of the spine comes off the floor, breathe OUT.  As you inhale release back to the floor with control.

Modification; do not come all the way up, just crunch up enough that the shoulder blades leave the floor.

If you feel pain in the low back, stop and rest. This is a sign the targeted abdominal muscles are exhausting and need a break.

Bonus; Follow this same challenge for situps AND bridges to also work the anterior muscles of the core.