We love following talented yogis on Instagram, from “Yoga Girl” Rachel Brathen to Jessamyn Stanley. The poses that seem to get the most “likes” on the social network often involve gravity-defying bends or headstands against amazing backdrops (such as the incredible Aruba beaches where Brathen practices). But the latest move we’ve been seeing everywhere is a little different. Called nauli, it’s an advanced core-strengthening technique that’s weirdly mesmerizing—and Instagrammers who attempt it are racking up thousands of views.
Nauli involves sucking in the stomach, then flexing the abdominal muscles back and forth. The result, which resembles a wave, has to be seen to be believed. (Check out the video above.) Enthusiasts claim the strange-looking move aids digestion and strengthens your abs. But should you try it?
“[Nauli] is actually quite uncommon,” says Kristin McGee, a celebrity yoga instructor and Health‘s contributing yoga and wellness editor. “I remember learning this at an ashram years ago when I was first doing my yoga teacher training. It’s not typically practiced in your general yoga class.”