What if we told you practicing one pose every day could improve your strength,physique, mood, and more? That’s right! The almighty Plank Pose has tons of benefits for your body, and all you need to practice it is yourself. Although it may not always be easy, it’s sure to provide you with health benefits that can last you a lifetime.

Plank Pose, or Phalakasana in Sanskrit, is a strength training pose that works all major abdominal muscles, while also strengthening your shoulder, chest, neck, glute, quadriceps, and back muscles. Also known as an isometric exercise, this pose works to contract the muscles by solely holding one steady, fixed position.

8 Benefits to Practicing Plank Pose Every Day

1. Strengthens Your Core

When it comes to building core strength, Plank Pose reigns supreme due to its ability to work all four muscle groups in the stomach . . . oh, you thought you only had “abs?” Plank strengthens the rectus abdominis (visual “six-pack” muscles), transverse abdominis (deep core stabilizing muscles), and the internal and external obliques (hip and back mobilizing muscles).

2. Increases Muscle Definition

Along with your abdomen, Plank Pose also strengthens the muscles in your shoulders, chest, legs, and back. The functionality of this pose combined with the isometric hold helps strengthen and build lean muscle to increase overall muscle definition on the body.

3. Heightens Metabolism

The muscle strength and mass that can be attained through Plank Pose offers another incredible benefit to go along with those stronger and more defined muscles . . . a faster metabolism!

4. Reduces Back Pain

As your abdominal muscles become stronger, the body becomes less reliant on the overuse and overextension of the back muscles.

5. Gives You Better Posture

Achieving better posture is most easily done by ensuring the spine, mid, and upper body muscles are strong and healthy. As you practice Plank Pose, the back, chest, shoulders, abs, and neck engage and work hard to organically adjust your body’s natural alignment.

6. Improves Balance

The isometric hold used during Plank Pose encourages your body to manifest stability as a whole. This, in turn, creates an overall improvement in your balance and coordination.

7. Enhances Bone and Joint Health

Plank Pose allows you to engage in weight-bearing physical activities while reducing the harsh and painful side effects often associated with exercises such as jumping and running.

8. Boosts Mood and Relieves Stress

Practicing Plank Pose, or any physical activity, releases a neurochemical substance in the brain called endorphins, which are known to increase feelings of happiness and decrease feelings of stress. This pose can also aid in tension relief, as your body is encouraged to stretch and lengthen when performing the pose.

Plank Pose: The Takeaway

With such diverse and rewarding benefits, it’s easy to understand why Plank Pose is so popular. Ultimately, enjoy your practice. With time, you will grow stronger and steadier. And when that time comes . . . add on another 20 seconds to your Plank Pose.

Ref: www.yogiapproved.com