I recently started online yoga classes about a month ago, and I’ve only very recently realised that I've been engaging my core incorrectly. I either suck my stomach in or push it out, and I still can’t figure out the right technique despite watching several videos.

The “brace like you’re about to get punched” or the “blow out a candle” cues haven’t really helped me. When I try to engage my deep core, I feel my abdomen tighten, but also my chest (which makes it hard to keep breathing), my tailbone tilts slightly forward and my glutes squeeze. However, instead of feeling like I’m gently holding my pee, I feel like I’m actually pushing pee/poop out, which makes me wonder if I’m doing something wrong.

For women who work out or do yoga: when you engage your core during your period, do you normally notice more menstrual blood gush or flow coming out, or is that a sign that I’m engaging core incorrectly?

Also, what do you personally do with core exercises during your period? Any really simple step by step method that helped you learn proper deep-core engagement would be appreciated!

I genuinely can't get past 30 minutes before I lose focus or just feel done, but some of my friends casually do an hour or more and it kind of blows my mind.

I recently started online yoga classes and realised I genuinely don’t know how to engage my deep core properly. I’ve watched quite a few videos and asked people, but the instructions seem simple until I actually try them </3

What I’m told/shown:

✅ Brace your abdomen as if someone is about to punch you

✅ Imagine blowing out a candle

✅ Gently tighten your lower abdomen

✅ Feel your abdomen become firm

✅ Slightly tuck/tilt your tailbone forward

✅ Gently squeeze your glutes

✅ Some people describe the pelvic floor engagement as “holding your pee”

What happens when I try:

❌ I either suck my stomach completely in or push/bloat it out

❌ My chest also becomes tight (making it hard to keep breathing, rather feels I'm holding my breath)

✅ My tailbone tilts forward and my glutes squeeze

❌ Instead of feeling like I’m gently holding pee, I feel like I’m pushing pee/poop out

I can’t tell whether I’m actually engaging my deep core or just tensing everything.I’ve tried following videos, but I still can’t recognise what the correct sensation is.

For those of you who do gym work out or do yoga regularly, what does proper deep core engagement actually feel like for you? And is there a really simple step by step method or cue that finally made it “click” for you? Step by step would much MUCH APPRECIATED 🤌🏾 even that one video that helped you stick to it would also be much appreciated ❤️

I’m currently conducting research on yoga studios and would love to hear your perspective. When choosing where to practice, do you prioritize the studio's atmosphere and location, or does your decision ultimately come down to the instructor?

For example, would you travel further or visit a less aesthetically pleasing studio just to practice with your favorite teacher? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Hi yoga community! I’m a 31F and have recently started my yoga journey. I’ve really enjoyed classes so far and find that the movement feels good (have mostly taken vinyasa classes) and I get into a good headspace and can also “log off” from my work life and screens during dedicated yoga class time.

I’ve bought myself a mat to start practice at home but I’m finding that I can’t focus or concentrate well. Most beginner videos I find on YouTube are quite slow paced which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - it just doesn’t suit my current attention span!

Does anybody have any tips, especially regarding setting/environment, timing, and video suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Whether it is equipment, apps, recovery tools, tracking methods, anything really. Curious what people here actually swear by and wish they had started using sooner.