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Yoga Body Balance — Session 4

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

Exercise Breakdown

16 exercises in Session 4

Strength2 exercises
1m 53s
2:16
Knee Chaturanga Push-ups

Feeling your elbows wrap into the side to begin.

armstricepschestshoulders
medium
4:21
Single Leg Chaturanga to Knee-to-Chest

Really round through the spine to hug your knee all the way back up.

tricepscorearmsshoulders
high
Flexibility1 exercise
39s
11:01
Half Splits (Ardha Hanumanasana)

Move your hips all the way back, flex your feet.

hamstringscalveslower back
low
yoga13 exercises
10m 8s
0:30
Child's Pose (Embryo Position)

Release your hands back towards the feet in embryo position.

lower backhipsspine
low
1:16
Tabletop with Forearm Stretch

Turning your hands to face the knees.

forearmswrists
low
1:41
Cat-Cow

On your exhale, we round through the spine, and we release.

spineupper backchest
low
3:01
Downward-Facing Dog with Ankle Reach

Left hand is coming towards your right leg. We try to aim towards the ankle.

hamstringsshoulderscoreankles
medium
4:01
Upward-Facing Dog

Soften through the hips, open the heart and chest to look up.

chestshouldersspinehips
low
5:31
Fallen Triangle

Extend your left leg out. Turn the right foot flat onto the mat.

coreshouldershipsupper back
medium
8:00
Warrior II

Sinking down into our warrior two, we breathe into it.

quadshipsshoulders
medium
8:31
Reverse Warrior

Keep reaching, we keep sinking down a bit more.

corespineshoulders
medium
8:56
Bound Side Angle Pose

Twist to look up, sink a bit deeper.

shoulderschesthipsquads
high
10:00
Cactus Arm Low Lunge

Cactus-ing the arms to open the back and the chest.

chestupper backhip flexors
medium
15:00
Camel Pose (Ustrasana) Variations

Pushing the hips forward, noticing how we feel.

spinechestquadsshoulders
high
17:30
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

Squeeze the shoulder blade, lift the chest, and push the legs into the hands.

upper backchestquadsspine
high
23:20
Happy Baby Pose

Holding the outsides of the feet, pulling our knees down towards our chest.

hipsinner thighslower back
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

shoulderschesthips

Secondary

spineupper backcore

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • on the knees
  • hand to lower back if full bind is not possible
  • hands to lower back
  • one hand to ankle

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Squeeze the shoulder blade, lift the chest, and push the legs into the hands.

Form

If you're able to take one hand and let go, and bring it to the inside of your ankle, do that.

Modification

Strong arms as we move through this.

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 chest 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 painbalancecore strengthflexibilityhip painjoint painposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is shoulders, chest, hips. You will also feel work in your spine, upper back — I designed these 16 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 chest and tricep workout 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. 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 25 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 16 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: on the knees; hand to lower back if full bind is not possible; hands to 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 — 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