The Core of the human body is a corset of muscles that surround the abdomen and lower back and includes the transverses abdominus, multifidis(s), diaphragm and pelvic floor.  In order for smooth contraction and movement to occur in the arms, shoulder, and legs – as well as all twisting motion – this protective girdle needs to be strengthened and exercised properly in order to protect us from injury.  In cases where injury already exists (or general weakness), strengthening and stabilizing the core provides superior rehabilitation, and improves overall performance enhancement in all sports and daily usage.

Feeling your Core is also commonly known as independent Core contraction, but there is a second and deeper element that as a Yoga practitioner one must consider:  Feeling your Core is more importantly a state of conscious awareness of the Core muscles and focusing on allowing all movement to stem or well up from this area.  The first step is to feel physically and then learn to pay conscious awareness to the feeling of the Core contracting…

When performing isolated Core contractions, you will be simultaneously contracting the pelvic floor, diaphragm, multifidis, and transverses abdominus – contraction of the whole core provides maximum stability and balance for the abdomen and lower back area, and occurs naturally through co-contraction.  Below are three of the most commonly used techniques or methods through which you can isolate your Core.  The Core is not a group of muscles we are used to contracting through conscious will, so take your time and repeat whichever of these methods works best for you until you can easily contract your Core through mind-full effort.