20-Minute Yin Yoga for Flexibility
This 20-minute yin flow gently opens tight muscles, increases your range of motion, and leaves you feeling longer and more at ease in your body. Each pose builds on the last, creating progressive release rather than forcing depth.
Duration
20 minutes
Poses
13 poses
Goal
Flexibility
The Flow
Janu Sirsasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Sit with both legs extended.
stretches the hamstrings, groin, and lower back
Virabhadrasana I
2 min(15-20 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and coreAnjaneyasana
2 min(15-20 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your right foot back into a long lunge position.
stretches the hip flexors and groin of the back leg
Marjaryasana–Bitilasana
2 min(15-20 breaths)
Begin on all fours, wrists below shoulders, knees below hips.
gently warms and mobilises the entire spineSalabhasana
3-5 min(30-50 breaths)
Lie face down with arms alongside your torso, palms facing up.
strengthens the muscles of the spine, glutes, and backs of the arms and legsUttanasana
3-5 min(30-50 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose.
deeply stretches the hamstrings, calves, and lower backPhalakasana
3-5 min(30-50 breaths)
Begin in Downward Dog, then shift forward so wrists are below shoulders.
strengthens the entire core, including deep stabilisersUtkatasana
3-5 min(30-50 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together or hip-width apart.
strengthens the thighs, calves, spine, and anklesSalamba Bhujangasana
3-5 min(30-50 breaths)
Lie on your belly with legs extended, tops of feet on the mat.
gently stretches and strengthens the spine
Bhujangasana
5 min(50 breaths)
Lie on your belly with your legs extended, tops of your feet on the mat.
strengthens the spine and erector musclesSupta Matsyendrasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Lie on your back with both knees bent.
releases tension in the spine and lower backDandasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended straight in front of you.
strengthens the core and back muscles
Savasana
5 min
Allow every muscle to soften completely. This is where the practice integrates.
promotes full recoveryQuick Reference
All 13 poses in this sequence, in order.
- 1Head-to-Knee Pose3 min
- 2Warrior I2 min
- 3Crescent Lunge2 min
- 4Cat–Cow2 min
- 5Locust Pose3-5 min
- 6Standing Forward Fold3-5 min
- 7Plank Pose3-5 min
- 8Chair Pose3-5 min
- 9Sphinx Pose3-5 min
- 10Cobra Pose5 min
- 11Supine Spinal Twist3 min
- 12Staff Pose3 min
- 13Corpse Pose5 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
