How can I engage my core?

Lift something above your head and either: walk, lunge or squat with it above your head.

“Engaging core” “Setting scaps” “Tower of power” these are meaningless coaching cues that create confusion.

They are usually gleaned from a course that a well meaning coach has attended. But if could be a case of overcomplicating simple issues. 

Your core is “engaged” every time you sit, walk, lunge, run, jump, throw, dive, tackle, or forget to eat enough fibre.

Lying on the floor doing planks and side planks and trying to isolate your multifidus (A: good luck. B: Why?) or transversus abdominus is not helping you win the Olympics.