20-Minute Yoga for Stress Relief
Designed to calm the nervous system and quiet the mind, this 20-minute sequence targets the areas where stress most commonly settles — the hips, lower back, and shoulders. Move slowly, breathe steadily, and trust the process.
Duration
20 minutes
Poses
13 poses
Goal
Stress Relief
The Flow
Supta Baddha Konasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie on your back.
opens the hips and inner groins passively
Marjaryasana–Bitilasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Begin on all fours, wrists below shoulders, knees below hips.
gently warms and mobilises the entire spine
Trikonasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and anklesUtkatasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together or hip-width apart.
strengthens the thighs, calves, spine, and ankles
Vrksasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together.
improves balance and proprioception
Virabhadrasana I
1 min(8-10 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and coreAnjaneyasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your right foot back into a long lunge position.
stretches the hip flexors and groin of the back legSupta Matsyendrasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie on your back with both knees bent.
releases tension in the spine and lower back
Virabhadrasana II
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
strengthens and tones the legs and anklesSalabhasana
1-2 min(10-15 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 legsMatsyasana (Supported)
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Place a bolster horizontally on your mat (or use two stacked blocks).
opens the chest, heart, and throat gentlyDandasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended straight in front of you.
strengthens the core and back muscles
Savasana
3 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.
- 1Reclining Bound Angle1 min
- 2Cat–Cow1 min
- 3Triangle Pose1 min
- 4Chair Pose1 min
- 5Tree Pose1 min
- 6Warrior I1 min
- 7Crescent Lunge1 min
- 8Supine Spinal Twist1 min
- 9Warrior II1 min
- 10Locust Pose1-2 min
- 11Supported Fish Pose1-2 min
- 12Staff Pose1-2 min
- 13Corpse Pose3 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
