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Morning Yoga Flow — Workout 3

This 20-minute beginner workout focuses on common yoga stretches. Led by Mish Naidoo, it targets spine, shoulders, neck with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

16 exercises in Workout 3

Warm-up1 exercise
49s
3:11
Tabletop Hip and Wrist Circles

Move your body around your wrists and then all the way back to your heels.

wristslower backhips
low
Flexibility3 exercises
3m 8s
7:31
Forward Fold with Ankle Hold

With every exhale, we begin to pull the chest down.

hamstringslower backspine
low
11:21
Half Splits (Ardha Hanumanasana)

Flex your feet, and then we bow down with every exhale.

hamstringscalveslower back
low
17:20
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

Rock forward and back... feel the back of the legs lengthen.

hamstringsspinelower back
low
Cool-down1 exercise
53s
19:21
Final Meditation and Gratitude

Inhale for five, four, three, two. Hold your breath. Exhale completely.

full body
low
breathing1 exercise
1m
0:00
Seated Centering and Breathing

In through the nose, open mouth exhale it out.

spineneck
low
yoga10 exercises
11m 11s
1:01
Seated Side Stretch with Leg Extension

Reach the right leg out, lift the whole body up, gentle side stretch.

hipsspineneckshoulders
low
2:21
Seated Cat-Cow (Cactus Arms)

Curl through the spine, reach the arm forward, tuck the chin to chest.

spinechestupper backshoulders
low
4:01
Cat-Cow Stretch

Scoop the chest, look up. As you exhale, round through the spine.

spineneckcore
low
4:41
Thread the Needle

Thread your right arm under the left. Come down to your shoulders.

shouldersupper backspine
low
6:21
Downward Facing Dog with Spinal Waves

Wave the body forward, roll forward. Bend your knees, drag your tailbone up.

full bodyhamstringsshouldersspine
medium
8:31
Sun Salutation Variation (Vinyasa)

Jump or step back to plank. Shift the body weight forward.

full bodyarmscorespine
medium
9:21
High Lunge with Twist and Hip Rotation

Right arm to the back. Open your shoulder. Reach your left arm to the front.

hipsquadsshouldersspine
medium
15:00
Extended Puppy Pose

Walk your hands forward, and then we feel the upper body stretch.

shouldersupper backspinechest
low
16:01
Prone Cobra Waves

Cactus your arms... fingertips are pressed into the mat.

spinechestupper back
low
18:21
Seated Spinal Twist

Bring your left leg across... look towards the back of the room.

spineouter thighsneck
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

spineshouldersneck

Secondary

upper backlower backhamstrings

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Slight bend through the knees if tight
  • Soft bend through the knees if you feel tight
  • Forehead to mat or chin/chest to mat for deeper stretch
  • Keep knees straight even if you can't reach feet
  • Hug the leg instead of binding

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Wave the body forward, roll forward. Bend your knees, drag your tailbone up.

Form

The most important thing is that the knees are straight.

Safety

Take a moment of gratitude... something that you're most grateful for.

Motivation

I've spent years refining these sequences specifically for women navigating their 30s and 40s. The body changes. The approach should change with it — I focus on what actually works — not what looks impressive on camera.

Form

Health Benefits

Women navigating Pelvic Floor, anxiety will find this session particularly relevant. The focus on spine and shoulders addresses the specific tension patterns and movement deficits that often accompany these conditions. No prior experience needed — every movement has a modification.

Relevant For

anxietyback painbalancecore strengthdepressionfatigueflexibilityhip paininsomniametabolismneck painposturesciaticashoulder painstressupper back pain

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is spine, shoulders, neck. You will also feel work in your upper back, lower back — I designed these 16 movements across 20 minutes so each body area gets attention without rushing through transitions. The sequencing follows a natural flow that lets your body warm into deeper ranges gradually. Perfect for yoga poses for beginners. Great for anyone interested in yoga poses names.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll want mat. Don't have one? A thick towel, carpet works fine — I've taught this sequence with improvised props more times than I can count. The movement matters more than the equipment. Great for anyone interested in yoga for lower back pain.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

Yes. Absolutely. No prior experience needed. Every exercise includes form cues, and there are modifications throughout. Here is what I tell new students: if something feels wrong — sharp pain, dizziness, strain in your neck — back off. Yoga should challenge you, not punish you.

How long is this workout?

About 20 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 16 movements. It is short enough to fit into a lunch break but structured enough to make a real difference.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Yes. Modifications are cued throughout. Examples: Slight bend through the knees if tight; Soft bend through the knees if you feel tight; Forehead to mat or chin/chest to mat for deeper stretch — I've been teaching long enough to know that the 'full expression' of a pose isn't the goal. The goal is finding the version that challenges YOUR body without breaking it. Use every modification offered. That's not weakness — that's intelligence.

Do I need yoga experience for this class?

Yes — I built this for women who are either starting fresh or coming back after a break. Every exercise includes form cues, and there are modifications throughout. Here is what I tell new students: if something feels wrong — sharp pain, dizziness, strain in your neck — back off. Yoga should challenge you, not punish you.

How often should I do this yoga workout?

Two to three times per week is the sweet spot for most women. Daily is fine too if your body responds well — yoga is forgiving that way — I've seen better results from consistent shorter sessions than from one heroic weekend marathon. Pair it with a different movement style on alternate days — a walk, some light strength work, even just stretching at your desk.

Can yoga help with Pelvic Floor?

There is clinical evidence supporting yoga for Pelvic Floor. The mechanism: pelvic floor strengthening — I want to be honest though — movement is one piece. It's powerful, but it works best alongside sleep, nutrition, and stress management. If Pelvic Floor is significantly impacting your quality of life, talk to a specialist. This workout can be part of your plan, not your entire plan.

Why is breathing so important in yoga?

Breathing is not decoration. In yoga, your breath literally determines how deep you can go into a movement and how your nervous system responds. Exhale on effort, inhale on release — that's the basic pattern. But here is what most instructors don't say: if you can't breathe smoothly in a position, you've gone too far. Your breath is your honest feedback system. The diaphragmatic breathing in this session activates your parasympathetic nervous system — the 'rest and digest' mode that most women in their 30s and 40s desperately need more of. This session is particularly effective as a yoga for stress relief option.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Mish Naidoo

Mish Naidoo

Yoga Trainer

From: Morning Yoga Flow