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Yoga Body Balance — Session 3

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

Exercise Breakdown

15 exercises in Session 3

Warm-up1 exercise
1m 19s
3:01
Standing Torso Circles and Forward Fold

Bend your knees, round through the spine, and then wake up your body all the way around.

spinehamstringshipslower back
low
Cool-down1 exercise
1m 10s
25:51
Cool Down: Child's Pose and Closing

Slowing down every breath, deep breathing in a little deeper.

full bodyspineshoulders
low
breathing1 exercise
1m 30s
0:00
Standing Centering and Breathing

It's a deep breath in from your belly and a very long exhale to release.

full bodyshouldersneck
low
yoga12 exercises
17m 53s
1:31
Side Body Stretch and Neck Release

Gentle pull of the left wrist, and look underneath the arm.

spineneckshouldersarms
low
4:21
Sun Salutation A

Wrap the elbows in, chaturanga.

full bodycorearmschest
medium
5:41
Downward Dog with Knee Bends

Lift the heels, bend your knees, come back down.

calveshamstringsshouldersankles
medium
6:41
Three-Legged Dog to Knee Tucks

Inhale, hug your knee in. Shift your body weight forward.

coregluteshipsarms
medium
7:41
Lizard Lunge with Thoracic Twist

Tap the elbow down... finding the rotation through that upper back.

hipsupper backquadship flexors
medium
9:41
Malasana (Yogi Squat)

Ground down into malasana, opening our chest into yogi squat.

hipsinner thighsanklesspine
medium
10:41
Chair Pose

Squeeze the core in, reach those arms up.

quadsglutescoreshoulders
medium
14:40
Cobra Rolls

Tenting the fingertips out. A big cobra roll to open up the body.

spinelower backchestshoulders
low
16:20
Wild Thing and Side Plank Tree

Twist into your wild thing, lift the hips, gaze to the back.

full bodycoreshoulderships
high
18:40
Warrior One and Pyramid Stretch

Imagine somebody's pulling you forward, and then someone's pulling the hips back.

quadshamstringshipsspine
medium
21:40
Tabletop Leg Extensions

Exhale to lift, and inhale... embracing the core the entire time.

gluteshipscoreouter thighs
medium
23:40
Sphinx Pose and Quad Stretch

If this doesn't feel comfortable, grab a towel.

quadslower backchestneck
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

shouldershipsspine

Secondary

corefull bodyquads

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Use a towel or strap to pull the leg in if you can't reach.

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Bend your knees, round through the spine, and then wake up your body all the way around.

Form

Grounding down through the outer right foot.

Safety

If this doesn't feel comfortable, grab a towel.

Modification

Can we sit a little deeper into the position?

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

Relevant For

anxietyback painbalancebone densitycore strengthfatigueflexibilityhip painknee painneck painpelvic floorposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is shoulders, hips, spine. You will also feel work in your core, full body — I designed these 15 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 — 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 15 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: Use a towel or strap to pull the leg in if you can't reach.. 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

Mish Naidoo

Yoga Trainer

From: Yoga Body Balance