What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is shoulders, core, hamstrings. You will also feel work in your spine, glutes — 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 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. 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: Pedal the feet or walk your dog; Grab onto the shin or knee if you cannot reach the ankle; Keep one hand on the ground for support — 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.

25 Min Yogalates For Shoulders & Core

Exercise Breakdown

16 exercises in Workout 6

Warm-up1 exercise

1m 30s

0:15

Seated Neck Circles

“Focus into lengthening the spine, sitting upright, nice and tall.”

neckspine

low

Strength2 exercises

1m 58s

8:01

Down Dog Knee Taps

“Keeping the hands and feet glued down.”

coreshouldersarms

high

9:41

Single Leg Bound Reverse Tabletop

“Pushing through that right heel to lift the hips up.”

gluteshamstringsshoulderscore

high

Flexibility1 exercise

1m 14s

1:46

Seated Side Stretch

“Rotate the ribs to look at the sky, opening the right oblique.”

spineshoulderships

low

Cool-down1 exercise

1m 25s

24:41

Seated Forward Fold

“Decompressing the backbend that you did.”

hamstringsspinelower back

low

yoga8 exercises

14m 13s