Yoga Glossary · Muscles
Obliques
The diagonal side-abdominal muscles that rotate and side-bend the trunk.
The obliques wrap the sides of the waist in two crossed layers: the external obliques run diagonally downward, the internal obliques diagonally upward. Together they rotate the trunk, side-bend it, and help compress the abdomen. A twist to the right, for example, pairs the right internal oblique with the left external oblique.
Twisting poses are oblique territory — Revolved Crescent, Prayer Twist and supine twists all shorten one side's obliques while lengthening the other. They also stabilize the pelvis in one-legged balances and side planks, working with the deeper core to keep the trunk from tipping or rotating unintentionally.
In practice
- Every revolved pose is an oblique contract on one side and a stretch on the other.
- Side Plank leans on the obliques to keep the waist from sagging toward the floor.
- Exhale as you twist — the obliques help push the breath out, deepening the rotation.
Poses that engage it
- Reverse Warrior
- Extended Side Angle
- Triangle Pose
- Revolved Crescent Lunge
- Prayer Twist
- Supine Twist
- Side Plank
Poses that lengthen it
- Reverse Warrior
- Extended Side Angle
- Cobra Pose
- Camel Pose
- Revolved Crescent Lunge
- Prayer Twist
- Supine Twist
Related terms
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The Yoga Glossary is an educational study reference. Definitions are standard yoga and anatomy knowledge in plain language; nothing here is medical advice.