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Yoga Body Balance — Session 10

This 30-minute beginner workout focuses on 30 minute yoga balance for hip flexibility. Led by StarFit, it targets hips, spine, hamstrings with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

17 exercises in Session 10

Warm-up1 exercise
1m
0:45
Happy Baby Pose

Bending your knees, arms on the inside of the knees, and then rocking side to side.

hipsinner thighsspinehamstrings
low
Flexibility7 exercises
7m 51s
1:46
Strap-Assisted Hamstring Stretch

The more that I flex my foot, the deeper the stretch behind the calf.

hamstringscalvesankles
low
3:31
Supine Leg Abduction with Strap

Left leg opens out to the side.

inner thighships
low
4:21
Supine Spinal Twist (IT Band Stretch)

Take the leg up and over, across, so you work into the IT band.

outer thighsspinelower backchest
low
5:21
Figure Four Stretch (Reclined Pigeon)

Pull the knee in a little closer as if you're giving it a hug.

gluteshipsouter thighs
low
16:40
Lizard Lunge with Quad Stretch

Try to hold the back foot. Maybe pull the foot in a bit closer.

quadship flexorships
medium
19:40
Seated Forward Fold

Folding down... starting to lower the chest on every exhale.

hamstringsspinelower back
low
25:10
Seated Wide-Legged Straddle

Move your upper body all the way around in a circle.

inner thighshipslower back
low
Balance3 exercises
2m 19s
13:30
Warrior III

Lean the body weight forward. Extend your arms out as if you had wings.

full bodycoreglutesankles
high
14:11
Standing Big Toe Hold

Standing up nice and tall, finding our balance, extending the leg long.

hamstringscoreankles
high
22:30
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Right hand softly lands, left hip opens up, left arm out.

outer thighscoreanklesshoulders
high
yoga6 exercises
4m 18s
9:40
Yogi Squat (Malasana)

Rooting down through the feet, lifting your chest, pushing your knees apart.

hipsinner thighsanklesspine
medium
10:21
Vinyasa Flow: Plank to Downward Dog

Shift your weight forward, lower down the knees, bring the chin to the mat.

full bodyarmsshoulderscore
medium
11:21
Three-Legged Dog with Hip Opener

Bend through the right knee, open up your hip, look underneath the right arm.

hipsshouldershamstrings
medium
20:40
Bridge Pose

Lift your hips, squeeze the glutes, roll the shoulders in.

gluteslower backchestquads
medium
24:10
Humble Warrior

Interlace the hands... drop your chest down into that humble warrior.

quadsshoulderships
medium
27:00
Full Backbend (Wheel Pose)

Flat side of the palms are down, elbows frame the face.

spineshouldersarmsquads
high

Muscles Targeted

Primary

hipsspinehamstrings

Secondary

anklesshouldersinner thighs

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • straightening your legs
  • keep the right leg bent
  • extend the right leg
  • let go of the strap, grab onto the foot
  • rock side to side
  • lower down the knees
  • soft bend through the front leg
  • lower down onto both forearms
  • rocking side to side
  • rest onto the forearms
  • Sugarcane pose (holding the foot)
  • move the left leg out for more space
  • walk your hands out
  • rest onto forearms
  • stay in bridge pose

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Bending your knees, arms on the inside of the knees, and then rocking side to side.

Form

Breathing into the stretch, feeling the stretch through the left side of your body.

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 hips and spine addresses the specific tension patterns and movement deficits that often accompany these conditions. No prior experience needed — every movement has a modification.

Relevant For

back painbalancecore strengthflexibilityhip painpelvic floorposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is hips, spine, hamstrings. You will also feel work in your ankles, shoulders — I designed these 17 movements across 30 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 30 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: straightening your legs; keep the right leg bent; extend the right leg — 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: Yoga Body Balance