Yoga Body Balance — Session 2
Exercise Breakdown
12 exercises in Session 2
Warm-up2 exercises1m 54s
“Shoulders over your wrists, your legs hip-distance apart.”
“Just moving your body around in the number eight, so circle around your wrist.”
Strength1 exercise59s
“Keep the knee up, draw a circle.”
Flexibility1 exercise1m 39s
“Push the right hip down, interlace the hands.”
Balance1 exercise2m 10s
“The back leg becomes light, and we reach the back leg up.”
Cool-down1 exercise1m 34s
“Just focusing on the breath, letting your breath slow down.”
yoga6 exercises8m 5s
“Inhale, we bring the knee into the chest. As we exhale, we expand.”
“Bend your knee, take the arm across, and with every exhale, lift that leg up into this hand.”
“Turn the foot to a ninety degree... reach my right arm up.”
“Squeeze the core in, hips towards the wrist, look up and back.”
“The back heel is elevated, sweep the arms all the way up.”
“Look beyond the middle finger of the hand in front of you.”
Muscles Targeted
Primary
Secondary
Equipment & Modifications
Equipment Needed
- mat
Don't Have Equipment?
You can substitute with:
Available Modifications
- Soft bend in the knees if you're tense in your lower back
Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo
“Bend your knee, take the arm across, and with every exhale, lift that leg up into this hand.”
Form
“Soft bend through the left leg.”
Safety
“Bring the energy that you created today back down to your heart.”
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 core and glutes 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 core, glutes, spine. You will also feel work in your hips, hamstrings — I designed these 12 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. Many women use this as part of their core strengthening exercises 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 — 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 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 12 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: Soft bend in the knees if you're tense in your lower back — 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.
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About the Trainer
Mish Naidoo
Yoga Trainer
From: Yoga Body Balance





