Skip to main content

Yoga Body Balance — Session 2

This 25-minute beginner workout focuses on yoga for core strength and balance. Led by StarFit, it targets core, glutes, spine with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

12 exercises in Session 2

Warm-up2 exercises
1m 54s
0:15
Dynamic Tabletop to Floating Dog Flow

Shoulders over your wrists, your legs hip-distance apart.

spineshoulderscorewrists
low
1:26
Tabletop Figure Eights

Just moving your body around in the number eight, so circle around your wrist.

wristshipsspine
low
Strength1 exercise
59s
3:41
Tabletop Push-ups and Hip Circles

Keep the knee up, draw a circle.

armschesthipsglutes
medium
Flexibility1 exercise
1m 39s
19:41
Low Lunge (Kapotasana) and Half Splits

Push the right hip down, interlace the hands.

hip flexorshamstringslower back
low
Balance1 exercise
2m 10s
17:30
Warrior III to Tree Pose

The back leg becomes light, and we reach the back leg up.

anklescalvesglutescore
high
Cool-down1 exercise
1m 34s
24:10
Cool Down: Forward Fold and Heart Centering

Just focusing on the breath, letting your breath slow down.

full bodyspinehamstrings
low
yoga6 exercises
8m 5s
2:11
Bird Dog Crunches

Inhale, we bring the knee into the chest. As we exhale, we expand.

coreglutesshouldersback-pain
medium
3:06
Tiger Pose Variation (Right Side)

Bend your knee, take the arm across, and with every exhale, lift that leg up into this hand.

gluteschestquadsspine
medium
4:41
Modified Side Plank with Gate Pose Flow

Turn the foot to a ninety degree... reach my right arm up.

outer thighscorehipschest
medium
6:01
Downward Dog to Plank Wave Flow

Squeeze the core in, hips towards the wrist, look up and back.

full bodyhamstringscoreshoulders
medium
10:40
Three-Legged Dog to High Lunge Flow

The back heel is elevated, sweep the arms all the way up.

quadsgluteshamstringscore
high
12:31
Warrior II and Skandasana Flow

Look beyond the middle finger of the hand in front of you.

inner thighsquadshipsglutes
high

Muscles Targeted

Primary

coreglutesspine

Secondary

hipshamstringsshoulders

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

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.

Relevant For

ankle stabilityanxietyback painbalancebone densitycore strengthfatigueflexibilityhip painjoint painposturesciaticastress

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.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Mish Naidoo

Mish Naidoo

Yoga Trainer

From: Yoga Body Balance