There’s a Hindu and Daoist crunch you can do that is really more of an isometric scrunch – and it works far more than your abs. It also strengthens your tendons while increasing mobility in your spine.

Here’s how to do it:

Lie on your back with your legs out straight and your arms hanging by your sides.

Then you simultaneously pull your toes toward your knees as you curl or “scrunch” your forehead forward and squeeze your hands into fists.

Essentially, you curl your spine as you curl your ankles and wrists. You exhale through your nose as you hold this position for six seconds.

After this you settle back into the original position and take a breather for 10-30 seconds. You relax and feel the increased energy percolating in your body.

You then do a second repetition, and if you so desire, a third.

There’s no need to do hundreds or thousands of these scrunches. The isometric contraction is what you’re after.

Give it a whirl and let me know what you think.

Matt Furey