If you’re anything like me, the thought of doing abdominal crunches for toned abs and a flat belly might make you want to skip the gym altogether. Luckily, crunches aren’t the only way to build a strong core. Here are four beginner yoga poses that anyone can try for a strong core and flat belly!

Say goodbye to feeling bloated and sluggish, and hello to a toned and energized self with these simple exercises. By learning to engage the deeper muscles that support your trunk, hips, and shoulders, you’ll be able to coordinate the power of your lower body with the agility of your upper body. This makes everything you do, from sports to lifting your kids, gardening, or navigating slippery surfaces, much easier and safer.

Here are four easy core stability exercises you can do at home, without any equipment other than your own body:

1. **Deep Abdominal Connection:**
Lie on your back with your feet on the floor and your knees bent at 90 degrees. Place your hands on your hipbones, thumbs toward your navel, and fingers toward your pubic bone. Imagine tying a string around your waist, pulling it tight to make your belly flat and firm. You can keep your hands there or relax them by your sides.

Lift your right foot off the floor, maintaining the 90-degree angle at the knee. Swap feet in mid-air, keeping your belly flat and hips still. Repeat 10 times per leg, then rest both feet back on the floor and windshield wipe your knees side to side to relax. If your lower back starts to pull away from the floor or your belly bulges, bring one foot back to the floor before lifting the other. For extra support, press your palms down on the floor beside you.

2. **Hip Lift and Walk:**
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart, close to your buttocks. Engage your waist muscles and lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Instead of clenching your buttocks, lengthen your sit bones toward the backs of your knees. Make sure your buttocks are relaxed by feeling them with your hands.

Slowly hover your right foot just above the floor, keeping your hips as still as possible. Swap sides, walking your feet slowly while keeping your hips steady. Repeat 10 times per side, then rest both feet and your hips back on the floor. Hug your knees into your chest to relax, then repeat. If you can’t keep your hips stable, try lifting to your tiptoes one foot at a time.

3. **All Fours Balance:**
Get on all fours with wrists under shoulders and knees a bit narrower than your hips. Keep your shoulders and hips parallel to the floor, firm your belly, and narrow your waist. Extend your right leg straight behind you, lengthening your tailbone and keeping your hips square. Press into your right hand to lift your ribcage and lengthen your neck. Reach your left arm forward, extending your hand away from the foot. Return to all fours and switch sides. Continue this movement 10 times per side, then rest in Child’s Pose. If balancing is tough, keep both hands on the floor and just move your legs.

4. **Side Waist Strength:**
Lie on your right side with your elbow under your shoulder and feet stacked. Extend your left arm to the ceiling, aligning your shoulders and hips, firming your belly, and narrowing your waist. Press into your right elbow to lift your ribs and hips high. Lower your hips to hover just above the floor, then lift them again. Do 5 hip lifts, then switch sides and repeat. If you struggle with stability, bring your lower knee to the floor for added support.

And there you have it – beginner yoga for a strong core and flat belly! Without doing a single crunch, you’ve learned to use the deep muscles of your core to stabilize your hips, spine, and shoulders even while moving. What a fantastic workout! As you go about your day, remember to engage these muscles to maintain stability in everything you do.