My Daily Core Exercise

 So I've been doing pole dancing for few months now, and although I can tell that I am improving, but it has been going on a very slow pace :(

I've never been a sporty girl. The last time I had like a weekly routine of physical exercise was when I was still in high school, then I did no exercise during my university time, and only went for occasional gym time with my friend when I started working. So I guess it explains how unfit I was physically, right?

When I started pole dancing, it was for fun. But as I go up to higher level, it is required to have more strength, especially upper body and core, which I hardly had any... 
Upper body strength is easier to gain. My main problem is the core muscle... 

And so for the past few weeks, aside from going to twice a week yoga (from Groupon deal), I've been doing some core exercise daily (except for one rest day each week).

Now I can feel that my core is somehow stronger than before, and how do I know? It's because now I can hold my upside down V much longer than before, yay!

Here is my set of core exercise...

First... elbow plank...
Few things to remember when doing elbow plank are, tuck ur tummy in, ensure the body is one straight line, shoulders not hunched, and the most important thing, keep breathing! slow and long breathe... ;)
*note: I used to use counts while holding this position, but now I use my breathes instead. One count is one slow inhale-exhale. Hold this pose for 15 slow breaths.

Followed by... old-fashioned crunches...
Do this for at least 15 times. Ensure that it's the abs that pull the body up and not the hands pushing the head up. Hands are only touching the back of the head lightly and to protect our neck, focus our sight to the ceiling. Exhale when going up, and inhale when going down.

Next is... side plank...
When doing right side plank, left feet is on top of right feet (and the other way around for left side plank). Both arms make one straight line, so that from the side, it looks like a crucifix. 
Same as elbow plank, use breaths as our count. Remember, slow inhale-exhale. Do this for 15 breaths.

And lastly, boat pose...
Ideally it's supposed to look like the sketch, but in reality, I still can't do it :p
So what I do is... bend my knees, but make sure my feet not touch each other. Back must be straight.
I try to straighten my legs few times and I can feel I'm getting stronger as I manage to hold my legs straight for few breaths. And when I'm feeling stronger, I will lean back (straight back!), legs going down closer to the floor (but not touching), then lift my body and legs up slowly, then repeat it.
Again, I count my breaths for this pose as well, and I usually go for 15 breaths.

Then, repeat again from elbow plank for total of 3 sets. And also when I'm feeling stronger, I will hold the pose for few more breaths/counts.
By the end of set three, I always sweat a lot. Dang, it's not easy to get that core muscles...
My target is that once I am stronger, I will add more variations, like elbow plank with one leg/arm up, etc.

On another topic, on my way home from pole class last Saturday, there were some people giving out daisies at Dhoby Ghaut MRT, and I got one!

It's so pretty~~!