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Yoga Body Balance — Session 8

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

Exercise Breakdown

19 exercises in Session 8

Warm-up3 exercises
1m 42s
0:46
Standing Spinal Waves

Interlace the hands, push the arms up to the sky, arch your back.

spineshouldersupper back
low
1:51
Forward Fold with Leg Pedaling

Bending into our knees, straightening our legs, moving our hips.

hamstringshipscalves
low
3:36
Tabletop Spinal Circles

Move your whole body back, and then round to come up.

spinehipsshoulders
low
Flexibility6 exercises
6m 55s
1:26
Standing Side Stretch

Left arm goes down, our right arm comes up and over as we stretch.

shouldersspine
low
2:21
Twisted Forward Fold

Bend your left knee, reach the right arm up for a stretch.

hamstringsspineshoulders
medium
4:11
Thread the Needle

Ears away from the shoulder, left arm to the front.

shouldersupper backspine
low
5:41
Prone Shoulder Stretch (Criss-Cross Arms)

Take your right arm underneath the body... really try to pull the right arm across.

shouldersupper back
medium
10:21
Low Lunge to Half Splits

Flexing your foot, and with every exhale, maybe folding down.

hamstringship flexorslower back
medium
21:20
Lizard Lunge

Maybe coming down to the forearms, letting the left knee rock out to the side.

hipship flexorsinner thighs
medium
Balance3 exercises
2m 30s
14:40
Standing Big Toe Balance

If you have good balance... we extend this leg all the way up.

hamstringscoreankles
high
18:20
Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Wrap your leg around. Hands together to sit down.

glutesquadsanklesupper back
high
19:20
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Send the right leg back. Half moon. Flex your foot.

glutescoreankleships
high
Cool-down1 exercise
40s
23:20
Seated Cat-Cow

Scooping the chest, we look up. Exhaling to round and let it go.

spineneck
low
breathing1 exercise
45s
0:00
Grounding and Breathing

Ground down through the feet, turn your palms up, and just closing your eyes.

full body
low
yoga5 exercises
3m 7s
2:56
Vinyasa Flow (Plank to Cobra)

Shift the body weight forward, drop the knees, and tuck the toes, chin to the mat.

full bodycorespine
medium
8:01
Downward Facing Dog

Melting the chest back, lifting the tailbone a bit higher.

hamstringsshouldersspinecalves
medium
9:10
Three-Legged Dog to Knee Taps

Left knee to the right elbow.

coreshouldersglutes
high
9:51
Fallen Triangle

Slide the left leg across, back foot ninety degrees, reach your right arm up.

corearmsouter thighsspine
high
11:50
Warrior II and Reverse Warrior

Reverse the warrior, leaning all the way back.

quadshipsshoulders
medium

Muscles Targeted

Primary

spineshouldershamstrings

Secondary

hipscoreupper back

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Prop a block underneath the hands to help get the legs straighter.

Coaching Highlights from Mish Naidoo

Take your right arm underneath the body... really try to pull the right arm across.

Form

If you're not able to straighten the leg, prop a block underneath the hands.

Modification

Focus on one point for three, for two.

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 spine and shoulders 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 strengthfatigueflexibilityhip painneck painposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is spine, shoulders, hamstrings. You will also feel work in your hips, core — I designed these 19 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 19 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: Prop a block underneath the hands to help get the legs straighter.. 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