Yoga Body Balance — Session 1
Exercise Breakdown
17 exercises in Session 1
Warm-up1 exercise59s
“Turning our hands to face our knees to warm up our wrists.”
Strength2 exercises3m 8s
“Squeezing my thighs together, sitting down even more, wrapping the biceps in.”
“Take it down three-quarters of the way... inhale here, exhale, lift.”
Cool-down2 exercises2m 33s
“Take your left leg across your body. Extend the left arm out.”
“Drop the chin down to the chest, and move your neck around in a full circle.”
breathing1 exercise1m 30s
“Cross your legs, turn your palms up, relax the shoulders, and we close our eyes.”
yoga11 exercises15m
“Round through the spine, curl through the spine, reach the arms forward.”
“Right hand to the shoulder, left hand pulls the neck down and away.”
“Keep pushing the pelvis forward, keep reaching back. Engage the core.”
“Scoop the chest, let's look up. On your exhale, round through the spine.”
“Make sure your hands are spread apart, tuck the toes, engage your core, lift your hips up.”
“Shift the body weight forward, elbows in.”
“See if you can lift your back foot. Maybe hold the back foot and push the hips down.”
“Every time we exhale, we drop our hip out to the side, and we pull the knee in.”
“Lengthen your chest. Feel grounded through the feet.”
“Legs touch the back, and then we'll hold.”
“Let your left hand push the left knee out. Stretch up towards the sky.”
Muscles Targeted
Primary
Secondary
Equipment & Modifications
Equipment Needed
- mat
Don't Have Equipment?
You can substitute with:
Available Modifications
- lower down onto the forearm
- add a circle
- add anything that feels good
- slight bend in your knees
- jump or step back
- lower the back knee down
- lower down onto the forearms
- slight movement side to side
- extend your legs up
- hands are supporting the lower back
- bend your knees in towards the head
Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo
“Make sure your hands are spread apart, tuck the toes, engage your core, lift your hips up.”
Form
“As you move back, there'll be a slight bend in the elbows.”
Safety
“Take a few pulses into the chair, just to activate our legs.”
Motivation
“I believe movement should feel good first and challenge you second. When I design a stretch sequence, I'm thinking about the woman who's been hunched over her laptop for eight hours, the one whose shoulders live somewhere near her ears. We start gentle. We earn the deeper stretches.”
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.
pelvic floor weakness
90% relevantpelvic floor strengthening; core stability; breathwork
anxiety
90% relevantparasympathetic activation; cortisol reduction; GABA boost via rhythmic movement
insomnia
90% relevantmelatonin support via relaxation; nervous system downregulation; muscle tension release
low libido
90% relevantpelvic floor strengthening; blood flow to pelvis; body reconnection; parasympathetic activation
depression
90% relevantendorphin release; BDNF increase; serotonin boost; dopamine via goal completion
Relevant For
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does this yoga workout target?
The primary focus here is spine, shoulders, hips. You will also feel work in your core, neck — I designed these 17 movements across 25 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. Great for anyone interested in yoga for lower back pain.
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.
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 25 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 17 movements. Some days that flies by. Some days minute 20 feels like an hour. Both are normal.
Are there modifications available for this workout?
Yes. Modifications are cued throughout. Examples: lower down onto the forearm; add a circle; add anything that feels good — 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.
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About the Trainer
Mish Naidoo
Yoga Trainer
From: Yoga Body Balance





