Calming Ab Exercises

Although working out usually gets your heart rate up, there are a number of exercises you can do to calm your mind and body instead. Even better, many of these moves will not only help you relax, but they'll work out your abs and lungs, too. Borrow a few poses from yoga, and you'll soon feel like a much fitter, calmer you.

  1. Skull Shining Breath

    • Sit upright. Open your legs and bend your knees so that the soles of your feet touch. Place one hand on your stomach for support. Contract your lower belly so that the air comes out of your lungs, then release so that you can take breath into your body. Repeat eight to 10 times. Add more repetitions -- from 25 to 100 -- once you start feeling more comfortable with the exercise.

    Cat and Cow Pose

    • Get on your hands and knees placing knees and hands shoulder-width apart. Be careful not to arch your back. Exhale and slowly lower your head and round your shoulders and back like a cat. Inhale and bring your head up and your back down. You should stick your behind up. Repeat this relaxing movement 10 to 20 times to work your abdominal and back muscles.

    Feet Up With Block

    • Lie on your back. Place a foam block in between your thighs. Raise your legs at about a 30-degree angle from the ground, then slowly bring your heels down without having your back leave the floor. Lift your legs back up again before your heels touch the ground. Breathe in and out throughout the exercise and tighten your abdominal muscles for the best results. If your back hurts, try bending your knees as you go up and down. Once you master this exercise, you can try it again, this time lifting your legs all the way up to a 90-degree angle from the ground.

    Leg Raises

    • Sit on the ground. Extend your arms in front of you at shoulder height. Bend your knees, flex your feet and raise your legs so your shins form a parallel line with the floor. Hold this position to work out your core. Don't hunch your back forward; instead, your chest should be upright. Don't forget to breathe in and out as you perform this exercise.