Sometimes you want your yoga practice to be filled with fast sun salutations that get your blood pumping. Sometimes you want to work on balance or master poses that build your upper body strength. Other times, you just want to relax.
Science points to the fact that yoga can moderate your response to stress, regardless of the type. But these routines really focus in on yoga for relaxation, incorporating slow breathing techniques and chill-out poses such as forward folds and supine twists.
They’re especially perfect after a stressful day at the office, or for when you’re going through a tough time and need to reconnect to your breath and body before dealing with whatever it is you’re facing.
They’re also all led by experienced teachers, are totally free, and require nothing more than a yoga mat and a corner of your bedroom. Namaste.
7 Yoga for Relaxation Routines
Rodney Yee: Yoga for Gentle Relaxation
Rodney Yee has been a yoga icon for a long time, and his practices are still the best of the best. With his focus on alignment and his uniquely gentle, soothing voice, you’ll feel like a new person in under 15 minutes.
Yoga for Relaxation
A “fun, slow and stretchy” half-hour practice from total YouTube sensation Yoga With Adriene.
Yoga for Relaxation: Beginner-Friendly Stress Relief Yoga Flow
This relaxing routine from YogaTX works for any level and is particularly great if you’re on your computer and phone all day, since it includes a nice section of hand and wrist stretches.
Relaxing Yoga for Happiness
This practice from PsycheTruth promises to help you “melt away anxiety and stress,” and is more meditation- and breath-focused than the others.
Yoga for Relaxation to Unwind After Work
Sarah Beth Yoga’s 15-minute routine is filled with feel-good poses like pigeon and happy baby. Also, her voice is sooo soothing, you could definitely do this one before bed.
After-Work Yoga Flow with Morgan Haley
Morgan Haley (AKA the Southern Yogi) leads a 30-minute Alo Yoga flow to help you unwind, slow down, and un-cramp your shoulders, feet and wrists.
Restorative Yoga for Stillness with Dr. Melissa West
This restorative practice is all about finding stillness in a super busy world, via forward folds, backbends, twists and side bends. You will need a bolster. (If you don’t have one, it is so worth the investment.)
(Image: Shutterstock)
