In our beginner yoga pose series, Michael Taylor from Strala Yoga in New York City, demonstrates and gives us the scoop on Plank.

How-to: Start on your hands and knees, shoulders directly over your wrists. Tuck your toes, extend your legs, and walk your feet back until your shoulders, hips, and ankles form a straight line. 

Tips: Keep your belly and lower back from sagging by using your inhales to pull your belly in and puff up your lower back.  You can check for your straight line by looking down the underside of your body.

Benefits: Builds arm and abdomen strength. Good for patience.
 
How-to Video:









Michael Taylor is a yoga guide at Strala Yoga in New York City. (Michael prefers "guide" to "instructor"). He's practiced Eastern movement and healing techniques for more than two decades. He holds a degree in mind-body medicine from Harvard, and studied alternative medicine and psychology at Oxford. Mike is also the CEO of social media company Odyl, climbs a few mountains in his spare time, and is the husband of yoga master Tara Stiles.

Tags: michael taylor, yoga, yoga poses