Beginners generally start with a set series of postures that can be repeated many times. A famous example is the series of 12 movements known as the Salute to the Sun, in which the final five postures represent the first five in reverse order, so ending once more at the beginning.
From such relatively simple exercises, practitioners may progress to more complicated asanas that involve twists and stronger stretches. Two exercises are shown here. One combines the seated forward bend and the head-knee posture. The other is the half spinal twist.