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
Balasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Kneel on your mat and bring your big toes to touch behind you.
gently stretches the hips, thighs, and anklesDandasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended straight in front of you.
strengthens the core and back muscles
Virabhadrasana I
1 min(8 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and corePaschimottanasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended in front of you.
stretches the hamstrings, calves, and spineSalabhasana
1 min(8-10 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
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat and hip-width apart.
strengthens the back, glutes, and hamstrings
Trikonasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and anklesAnjaneyasana
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 leg
Tadasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand with feet together or hip-width apart, big toes touching.
improves posture and body awareness
Adho Mukha Svanasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Begin on all fours, wrists below shoulders, knees below hips.
lengthens hamstrings, calves, and the entire back of the bodySupta Baddha Konasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Lie on your back.
opens the hips and inner groins passivelyMatsyasana (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 gently
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.
- 1Child's Pose1 min
- 2Staff Pose1 min
- 3Warrior I1 min
- 4Seated Forward Fold1 min
- 5Locust Pose1 min
- 6Bridge Pose1 min
- 7Triangle Pose1 min
- 8Crescent Lunge1 min
- 9Mountain Pose1 min
- 10Downward-Facing Dog1-2 min
- 11Reclining Bound Angle1-2 min
- 12Supported Fish Pose1-2 min
- 13Corpse Pose3 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
