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
Balasana
3 min(20-30 breaths)
Kneel on your mat and bring your big toes to touch behind you.
gently stretches the hips, thighs, and anklesUtkatasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together or hip-width apart.
strengthens the thighs, calves, spine, and anklesJanu Sirsasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Sit with both legs extended.
stretches the hamstrings, groin, and lower back
Tadasana
2 min(15 breaths)
Stand with feet together or hip-width apart, big toes touching.
improves posture and body awareness
Virabhadrasana II
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
strengthens and tones the legs and anklesSalamba Bhujangasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Lie on your belly with legs extended, tops of feet on the mat.
gently stretches and strengthens the spineAnjaneyasana
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 legSalabhasana
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 legsSupta Matsyendrasana
5 min(40-50 breaths)
Lie on your back with both knees bent.
releases tension in the spine and lower back
Virabhadrasana I
5 min(50 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and coreUttanasana
5 min(40 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose.
deeply stretches the hamstrings, calves, and lower back
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.
- 1Child's Pose3 min
- 2Chair Pose2 min
- 3Head-to-Knee Pose2 min
- 4Mountain Pose2 min
- 5Warrior II5 min
- 6Sphinx Pose5 min
- 7Crescent Lunge5 min
- 8Locust Pose5 min
- 9Supine Spinal Twist5 min
- 10Warrior I5 min
- 11Happy Baby5 min
- 12Standing Forward Fold5 min
- 13Corpse Pose5 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
