Yoga Body Balance — Session 6
Exercise Breakdown
18 exercises in Session 6
Warm-up1 exercise59s
“Shoulders over the wrists, our legs are hip distance apart.”
Strength1 exercise1m 19s
“Slowly draw the legs down on the inhale to your lowest, whatever feels good for your lower back.”
Flexibility4 exercises4m 16s
“Walk the hands over towards the left side.”
“Bring your hands into prayer position, and slowly sink the hips back.”
“Pivot the right foot to the side. Reach your left arm up.”
“Flex your foot... with every exhale, lower down your chest.”
Cool-down1 exercise1m 39s
“Flex your left leg, and then gently take your left hand and push the knee apart.”
breathing2 exercises1m 57s
“Give yourself the moment of peace, the moment of clarity.”
yoga7 exercises13m 13s
“Right arm coming down, side of the face coming down.”
“Wrap the elbows in for your chaturanga.”
“Using the heel of the foot, push up and create a big circle.”
“Twist your right knee to the left elbow, twist.”
“Step your right foot in the back. Lift your hips up.”
“Squeezing the inner thighs together, and sitting down a bit further.”
“Interlace the hands, push the hips down, stretch those arms back.”
pilates2 exercises2m 18s
“Squeeze the core in, flex the feet.”
“Lift the shoulders up, breathe into the stretch.”
Muscles Targeted
Primary
Secondary
Equipment & Modifications
Equipment Needed
- mat
Don't Have Equipment?
You can substitute with:
Available Modifications
- Place right hand on top of left for a deeper stretch
- Wrap arm around back for a bind
- Stretch opposite leg back for balance challenge
- Lift legs long for more intensity
Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo
“Flex your left leg, and then gently take your left hand and push the knee apart.”
Form
“Slowly draw the legs down on the inhale to your lowest, whatever feels good for your lower back.”
Safety
“If you'd like a deeper stretch, we'll take our right hand, place it on top of the left.”
Modification
“Give yourself the moment of peace, the moment of clarity.”
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 hips 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, hips, spine. You will also feel work in your shoulders, lower back — I designed these 18 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 18 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: Place right hand on top of left for a deeper stretch; Wrap arm around back for a bind; Stretch opposite leg back for balance challenge — 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.
Related Workouts & Topics
More from Yoga Body Balance
Browse Exercise Collections
Helpful For These Concerns
About the Trainer
Mish Naidoo
Yoga Trainer
From: Yoga Body Balance





