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

Exercise Breakdown

14 exercises in Workout 5

Flexibility5 exercises
5m 16s
1:06
Standing Side Stretch

Interlace the palms, and if your ribcage is flared out, draw it in.

spineshouldersarms
low
1:46
Forward Fold with Neck Release

Bring your hands behind your neck and head, and think of just pulling the neck down.

hamstringsneckspine
low
3:11
Yogi Squat (Malasana) with Shoulder Circles

Think of opening through the chest and drawing big arm circles.

hipsinner thighsshouldersspine
medium
7:11
Low Lunge and Half Splits

Move back to half split... thinking of folding down a little bit more.

hip flexorshamstringsquads
low
13:00
Skandasana (Side Lunge) Flow

Begin to move your body side to side... loosen up into our hips.

inner thighshipsankles
medium
Cool-down2 exercises
2m
16:50
Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Move your knees side to side so we can loosen up into the legs.

hipsinner thighslower back
low
18:20
Seated Spinal Twist

Sit up as tall as you can, and let's look towards the back of the room.

spinecoreneck
low
breathing2 exercises
1m 51s
0:00
Mountain Pose (Tadasana) and Centering

Roll your shoulders back, draw your ribcage in.

spineshouldersneck
low
19:11
Final Centering and Breathwork

Notice your inhales become as long as the exhales.

full body
low
yoga5 exercises
6m
2:16
Chair Pose Flow

Sit down into chair pose. Lift the hips, lift the spine.

quadsglutescoreshoulders
medium
4:31
Sun Salutation A (Vinyasa)

Jump or step back to plank... wrap your elbows in for Chaturanga.

full bodyarmscorespine
medium
5:41
Triangle and Pyramid Flow

Twist the chest so that the ribcage wraps up.

hamstringshipsspinecore
medium
8:31
Warrior II and Reverse Warrior

Strong warrior two, sinking into the front leg, relaxing through the arms.

quadsshouldersspinehips
medium
14:31
Wide-Legged Cat-Cow and Fold

As you inhale, lift your chest... As you exhale, curl through the spine.

spineshouldershamstrings
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

spineshoulderships

Secondary

hamstringscoreneck

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Use a block for triangle pose
  • Use two blocks for pyramid pose if you cannot straighten the leg
  • Keep hands on the floor for support

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Bring your hands behind your neck and head, and think of just pulling the neck down.

Form

Allow the body to slowly melt down.

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 strengthdigestionfatigueflexibilityhip paininsomniajoint painneck painposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Mish Naidoo

Mish Naidoo

Yoga Trainer

From: Morning Yoga Flow