When I started teaching yoga at the local studio my first regular class was “Core Yoga”. As a personal trainer, this was totally in my wheelhouse, and I had a ton of fun with the class. It’s enjoyable and rewarding to create challenging yoga classes. This mountain climber yoga core class is just 10-minutes and a great way to work the abs and upper body while creating some heat.

Planks and mountain climbers are challenging poses. If these exercises are too challenging but you still want a core workout I suggest checking out my other core yoga classes. There are so many other ways to work the core. Otherwise, grab your yoga mat and press play!
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Mountain climber yoga core class
For this mountain climber yoga core class, we begin on hands and knees with some cat and cow, before rising into downward facing dog. This gives us the opportunity to warm up the spine and prepare the wrists and upper body for the work to come. From down dog, we float into plank and practice our plank alignment.

The second time through we come into plank from 3-legged dog, so that plank has one foot lifted. This increases the challenge quite a bit. Bring the foot to the floor if needed. From here we also play with bringing the knee into the chest.

On our final workout phase of the mountain climber yoga core class, we bring in the mountain climber. For anyone unfamiliar this is simply coming into plank with one knee towards the chest. Then quickly switching. Almost like “jogging” with the legs. The mountain climber yoga exercise builds heat quickly! Go slow if you need to, and choose modifications if needed. Maybe just stepping through the legs rather than quickly jump switching.

After repeating the sequence on both sides, cool down with childs pose to take a breath. Then lay facedown for three slow cobra poses to stretch the front body. Afterwards, come into seated for a gentle twist and some relaxing breaths to finish.
Want more yoga?
If you enjoyed this mountain climber yoga core class then good news! This is the short version! I have a 40-minute class on Patreon. We explore mountain climbers fully from warm-up to variations in this core flow. Join me on Patreon. For $10 a month you’ll get 2 new videos a month, plus all the previous videos in the Zen Den vault. As always free videos are available on YouTube. I also have a free 7-day yoga challenge to build a home yoga practice in just 15-20 minutes a day. So many ways to stay connected, and grow your practice!
Questions
- Do you include core poses/exercises in your yoga practice?
- Have you tried mountain climbers to work the core?
- What is your favorite core exercise?
Monidipa
I love climbing the mountain but can climb much or higher, it hurts. But for my physical condition, it is hard. But I have started doing the yogas you have shown. I am sure I’ll reach in the position to do this too!
Clarice
This is a bit challenging but will try this tomorrow. Thank you for sharing your other core yoga videos as well.
Lyosha
I love this move as well as knee to nose various and a twist there (left leg to right elbow)
Ivan Jose
Thank you for this. Your instructions are easy to follow and the poses look like you can do them anytime.
Lori Bosworth
I have never done the mountain climber pose before! I like that it takes only 10 minutes!
Crickette, The Things I Have to Say
Gosh! When will I ever find the energy to work out again? HEHE. I’ve always been fascinated with yoga, but have no stamina and patience for it.
But hey, good job!
CA
I honestly love the mountain climber routine in my HIIT exercises because I can feel that it really engages my core. But to incorporate it into yoga is lovely!
Alvern
What an interesting name for a yoga exercise and the fact that it only takes 10 minutes from start to finish is just brilliant.
Michael
Great flexibility. Its actually a good way to stay in shape when you will regularly stretch everything like that