Yoga Body Balance — Session 10
Exercise Breakdown
17 exercises in Session 10
Warm-up1 exercise1m
“Bending your knees, arms on the inside of the knees, and then rocking side to side.”
Flexibility7 exercises7m 51s
“The more that I flex my foot, the deeper the stretch behind the calf.”
“Left leg opens out to the side.”
“Take the leg up and over, across, so you work into the IT band.”
“Pull the knee in a little closer as if you're giving it a hug.”
“Try to hold the back foot. Maybe pull the foot in a bit closer.”
“Folding down... starting to lower the chest on every exhale.”
“Move your upper body all the way around in a circle.”
Balance3 exercises2m 19s
“Lean the body weight forward. Extend your arms out as if you had wings.”
“Standing up nice and tall, finding our balance, extending the leg long.”
“Right hand softly lands, left hip opens up, left arm out.”
yoga6 exercises4m 18s
“Rooting down through the feet, lifting your chest, pushing your knees apart.”
“Shift your weight forward, lower down the knees, bring the chin to the mat.”
“Bend through the right knee, open up your hip, look underneath the right arm.”
“Interlace the hands... drop your chest down into that humble warrior.”
“Flat side of the palms are down, elbows frame the face.”
Muscles Targeted
Primary
Secondary
Equipment & Modifications
Equipment Needed
- mat
Don't Have Equipment?
You can substitute with:
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.
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 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.
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About the Trainer
Mish Naidoo
Yoga Trainer
From: Yoga Body Balance





