The method is known as Fukutsuji and is associated with Japanese practitioner Toshiki Fukutsuji.
To try the exercise, you will need a firm towel and a relatively firm surface.
Roll up the towel, lie on your back and place it under your lower back at around navel height. Then stretch your arms behind your head and keep your legs slightly apart.
Your big toes should point towards each other, while your little fingers meet behind your head. The position can be held for up to five minutes.
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According to the media outlets Kondice and Dagens.dk, you should start gently. Stop the exercise if it causes pain.
Your posture matters
If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer or behind the wheel, it can affect your posture.
The position of your pelvis and lower back can also influence how your stomach looks. This is precisely what the Japanese method attempts to address.
People with back problems, a herniated disc or osteoporosis, as well as pregnant women, should seek individual professional advice before trying the exercise.
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Why your stomach may look flatter
The method is often presented on social media as an easy way to achieve a flatter stomach. However, the exercise does not remove fat from the abdominal area.
Instead, any possible difference is due to posture. If the exercise helps straighten the body, the stomach may appear both flatter and firmer.
The method should therefore be viewed as a supplement to regular physical activity rather than a shortcut to weight loss.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.