Feeling weighed down by some seasonal overindulgence? Or just want to look and feel your best without doing crazy cardio? Yoga can help you develop tone and strength in your whole body, including your belly.

One secret to tight abs is that you have to exercise the whole body along with targeted core work. If you just work the core without moving the whole body you may build up your ab muscles, but you probably wont burn enough subcutaneous fat to be able to see your muscle definition.

Yoga works by both moving energy through the whole body and creating more tone. It is not usually aerobic and will not raise your heart rate much, but it does increase cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation, support detoxification, reduce inflammation, and build muscle tone all factors in getting a flat belly.

These six Yoga asanas (okay, five poses and one sequence) move energy through the body and help you get a flatter tummy.

1. Surya Namaskar Sun Salutation

Warms the body, increases circulation and flexibility.

From a standing position (Tadasana) inhale and reach both arms overhead.

Exhale and fold forward, relaxing the back and neck.

Inhale and rise halfway up, lengthening the spine forward through crown of head.

Exhale and step the left leg back until you are in a lunge (Anjaneyasana) with the right leg forward. You can stay up on the left foot or bring the left knee down to the mat.

Be sure the right knee is directly over the right ankle, not drifting past it. Distribute the weight evenly, especially shifting weight into the back leg.

Inhale and reach the arms overhead, keeping the shoulders relaxed.

Exhale fold forward and step back to Plank (Phalakasana) pose.

Inhale, then exhale and bring knees to the mat.

Lower completely to mat.

Inhale and lengthen the chest forward and up into Cobra (Bhujangasana). Keep the elbows soft, the jaw relaxed, and the collarbones spreading wide apart.

Exhale and press back to Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Inhale here.

Exhale and step the left leg forward into a lunge.

Inhale and reach the arms up.

Exhale fold forward and step to Forward Bend (Uttanasana).

Inhale rise halfway up. Exhale fold forward again and relax.

Inhale rise all the way up, reaching arms overhead.

Exhale join palms together in front of your heart.

Pause for a breath or three, then repeat the sequence leading with the right leg this time.

You may repeat the full Surya Namaskar (both sides make one full sequence) as many times as you like, 3-4 is a great warm-up for the rest of your practice.

2. Phalakasana Plank Pose

Tones the core and entire front body,

From hand and knees or Downward Dog, extend both legs back until you are in a position similar to a push up.

Be sure both palms are flat on the floor with the fingers spread wide to protect the wrists.

Relax shoulders down the back.

Press firmly through inner heels and lift through inner thighs dont let the pelvis droop.

Hold for 4-5 deep breaths.

3. Parivrtta Anjaneyasana Revolved Lunge

Twists help with detoxification and tone the abs and obliques.

From Downward Dog, step the right leg forward into a lunge. Be sure the ankle is all the way under the knee.

Inhale and reach both arms up overhead.

Exhale and fold forward, bringing the right hand to the right hip and left hand to the mat.

Exhale and twist from the navel to the right, drawing the right leg in as you turn the belly, chest, and shoulders up to the sky.

Hold for 4-5 deep breaths.

Release and step back to Downward Dog.

Repeat on the other side.

4. Ardha Chandrasana Half-Moon Pose

Tones the abs and obliques and opens the hips.

From Triangle on the right side, bring the right fingertips to the mat near the toes.

Exhale and root down through the straight (but not locked) right leg.

Inhale and lift the left leg. Eventually it will reach the height of the hips, but for now just lift as high as is sustainable.

Press firmly through the left heel.

Rotate belly and chest a little towards the sky.

Hold for 4-5 deep breaths.

Step into a Wide Leg Forward Bend or some other neutral pose for a few breaths.

Repeat on the other side.

4. Navasana Boat Pose

Tones the core.

From seated, bend the knees and lift both legs towards the sky.

Shift your weight forward until you are on the sits bones/upper thighs, not the back of the pelvis. This will make it much harder to lift, but you will work the lower abs more this way.

You may extend the legs fully if possible, or keep the knees bent. You can use the hands for support of extend them straight out.

Draw the shoulders back and keep the chest open. Relax the jaw.

Hold for 7-8 deep breaths.

Repeat 1 or 2 times.

5. Setu Bhanda Sarvangasana Bridge Pose

Tones the glutes and thighs, stretches the abs.

From lying down on your back, step the feet in close to your hips. Center of hips, knees, and feet should line up do not let the knees splay out at any time during the pose.

Press into the feet and shoulders. Exhale and relax the lower back, jaw, and neck.

Inhale and lift the hips up towards the sky. Allow that lift to rise up towards the chest.

Hold for 4-5 deep breaths.

Remember to breath deeply through these and all Yoga poses. Always begin your practice with some type of warm-up and end it with Savasana, Final Relaxation. If you have never practiced Yoga before, take a few beginners classes with an experienced teacher to learn safe alignment. When combined with healthy eating habits some full-body cardio, these Yoga asanas can help you develop toned, strong core and a flatter belly.