Forget Six-Pack Abs
Healthy abdominal muscles are strong, not hard.
By Fernando Pagés Ruiz
In part, the article says, "We're a culture afraid of the belly," laments Lasater. In our societal obsession with abdominal minimalism, we often lose sight of the true nature of this crucial part of the body. Abdominal muscles assist breathing, align the pelvis, flex and rotate the trunk, keep the torso erect, support the lumbar spine, and hold in the organs of digestion.
Basically this piece gives us permission to consider ourselves strong, fit and healthy without having a "six pack" or even a completely flat abdomen. In fact, the article reveals, "chronically tight abdominals aren't any healthier than chronically tight hamstrings or back muscles," The key is finding a balance between strong core muscles and flexibility.This is very reassuring news to me...I have practiced yoga for years, exercised and eaten healthily. Maybe now I can stop striving to attain an 'ideal' that isn't, and enjoy my good health, knowing that everything is as it should be!
