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
Ananda Balasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Lie on your back.
opens the inner groins and hip flexors
Tadasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand with feet together or hip-width apart, big toes touching.
improves posture and body awarenessUttanasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose.
deeply stretches the hamstrings, calves, and lower back
Trikonasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
Virabhadrasana I
5 min(40-50 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and coreUtkatasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together or hip-width apart.
strengthens the thighs, calves, spine, and anklesAnjaneyasana
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 flexorsSalabhasana
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 legs
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 bodySupta Matsyendrasana
5 min(40 breaths)
Lie on your back with both knees bent.
releases tension in the spine and lower backDandasana
5 min(40 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.
- 1Happy Baby3 min
- 2Mountain Pose2 min
- 3Standing Forward Fold2 min
- 4Triangle Pose2 min
- 5Warrior I5 min
- 6Chair Pose5 min
- 7Crescent Lunge5 min
- 8Butterfly Pose5 min
- 9Locust Pose5 min
- 10Downward-Facing Dog5 min
- 11Supine Spinal Twist5 min
- 12Staff Pose5 min
- 13Corpse Pose5 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
