20-Minute Restorative Yoga for Relaxation
This 20-minute flow is an invitation to let go. Poses are held longer than usual to allow the nervous system to settle, the breath to deepen, and the body to release the tension it has been carrying.
Duration
20 minutes
Poses
13 poses
Goal
Relaxation
The Flow
Savasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Lie on your back on the mat.
calms the nervous system and promotes deep rest
Trikonasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
Tadasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand with feet together or hip-width apart, big toes touching.
improves posture and body awareness
Virabhadrasana I
2 min(15 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and core
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat and hip-width apart.
strengthens the back, glutes, and hamstringsSalabhasana
5 min(40-50 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 legsAnjaneyasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your right foot back into a long lunge position.
stretches the hip flexors and groin of the back legBaddha Konasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended.
opens the inner groins and hip flexorsSalamba Bhujangasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Lie on your belly with legs extended, tops of feet on the mat.
gently stretches and strengthens the spine
Adho Mukha Svanasana
5 min(50 breaths)
Begin on all fours, wrists below shoulders, knees below hips.
lengthens hamstrings, calves, and the entire back of the bodyPaschimottanasana
5 min(40 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended in front of you.
stretches the hamstrings, calves, and spineSavasana
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.
- 1Corpse Pose3 min
- 2Triangle Pose2 min
- 3Mountain Pose2 min
- 4Warrior I2 min
- 5Bridge Pose5 min
- 6Locust Pose5 min
- 7Crescent Lunge5 min
- 8Butterfly Pose5 min
- 9Sphinx Pose5 min
- 10Downward-Facing Dog5 min
- 11Seated Forward Fold5 min
- 12Happy Baby5 min
- 13Corpse Pose5 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
