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
Ananda Balasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie on your back.
opens the inner groins and hip flexors
Virabhadrasana II
1 min(8 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
strengthens and tones the legs and anklesMalasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width, toes angled out.
opens the hips and groin
Tadasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Stand with feet together or hip-width apart, big toes touching.
improves posture and body awarenessAnjaneyasana
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
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 hamstringsSalabhasana
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 legsBaddha Konasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended.
opens the inner groins and hip flexorsSupta Matsyendrasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie on your back with both knees bent.
releases tension in the spine and lower back
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 body
Savasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Lie on your back on the mat.
calms the nervous system and promotes deep rest
Balasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Kneel on your mat and bring your big toes to touch behind you.
gently stretches the hips, thighs, and anklesSavasana
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.
- 1Happy Baby1 min
- 2Warrior II1 min
- 3Garland Pose1 min
- 4Mountain Pose1 min
- 5Crescent Lunge1 min
- 6Bridge Pose1 min
- 7Locust Pose1 min
- 8Butterfly Pose1 min
- 9Supine Spinal Twist1 min
- 10Downward-Facing Dog1-2 min
- 11Corpse Pose1-2 min
- 12Child's Pose1-2 min
- 13Corpse Pose3 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
