Skip to main content

Morning Yoga Flow — Workout 4

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

Exercise Breakdown

21 exercises in Workout 4

Warm-up2 exercises
1m 13s
2:21
Shoulder Rolls

Pulling the shoulders all the way up to the ears to release the tension.

shouldersneck
low
6:01
Spinal Barrel Rolls

Create a circle with the body. Curl through the spine.

spineshoulderships
low
Flexibility1 exercise
59s
11:51
Prone Quad Stretch

Bringing this foot in to the glute as much as you can.

quadschestshoulders
low
Cool-down1 exercise
16s
20:01
Final Seated Meditation

Think of keeping this energy that you created with you throughout your day.

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

Allow the breath to flow evenly, naturally, without changing anything.

full body
low
yoga16 exercises
16m 29s
1:01
Seated Eagle Arms with Forward Fold

Wrapping your right arm over your left for eagle arms.

shouldersupper backarms
low
2:46
Cat-Cow with Wrist Stretch

Inhale to lift your chest to open up. Exhale to round and curl through the spine.

spinewristsforearmschest
low
3:51
Bird-Dog Core Flow

Imagine somebody pulling you forward and someone pulling you back.

coreglutesshouldersspine
medium
5:11
Tiger Pose (Ankle Bind)

Hold onto the ankle or foot, and kick this foot into the palm of your hand.

quadschestshouldersspine
medium
6:51
Kneeling Side-to-Side Backbend Flow

Reach your right arm to the front, take a backbend.

spinechestshouldersquads
medium
8:41
Kneeling Heart Opener

Bring the palms to touch, bring it right underneath your chin.

chestneckspine
low
9:41
Downward Facing Dog

Tuck the toes, lift the legs back.

hamstringscalvesshouldersarms
medium
10:31
Sphinx Pose with Neck Circles

Bring the neck to the right, all the way through center, and then around.

lower backneckchest
low
12:51
Cobra Pose Waves

Deep breath in to lift, to open, to look up.

spinechestcore
medium
13:31
Locust Pose

Lift the upper body and the lower body.

lower backgluteshamstringsupper back
medium
14:21
Wide-Legged Forward Fold with Twist

Reach your left arm up to the sky.

hamstringsspineshoulders
medium
15:41
Yogi Squat (Malasana) with Bind

Let your arms open your knees apart.

hipsinner thighschestankles
medium
16:41
Standing Backbend

Bring your hands to the lower back... push the hips forward.

spinechesthip flexors
low
17:11
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Firm up the quads, keep pushing the hips forward.

chestquadship flexorsspine
medium
18:21
Happy Baby Pose

Hold the outsides of the feet, and pull your knees into your chest.

hipsinner thighslower back
low
19:11
Supine Spinal Twist

Wrap your left leg over your right... guide your legs over to the right side.

spinehipsouter thighs
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

spinechestshoulders

Secondary

quadshipsneck

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Prayer hands if eagle arms feels too much
  • Add movement/pedal the feet if stiff
  • Soft bend in knees if needed
  • Stay in open stretch instead of taking the bind
  • Keep hands on lower back
  • Reach for ankles
  • Rock side to side or stay in stillness

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Inhale to lift your chest to open up. Exhale to round and curl through the spine.

Form

Try to keep the leg straight if that feels good for your body.

Modification

Think of keeping this energy that you created with you throughout your day.

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 chest 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 strengthfatigueflexibilityhamstringship paininsomniaknee painneck painpelvic floorposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is spine, chest, shoulders. You will also feel work in your quads, hips — I designed these 21 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. Many women use this as part of their chest and tricep workout routine.

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 poses names.

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 21 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: Prayer hands if eagle arms feels too much; Add movement/pedal the feet if stiff; Soft bend in knees if needed — 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. 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 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