In today’s fast-moving world, finding a few moments of calm can feel like a luxury. That’s where relaxing yoga poses come in. These gentle, grounding movements help you slow down, release tension, and reconnect with your breath and body. Whether you’re winding down after a busy day, managing anxiety, or simply looking for a way to feel more centered, these 10 yoga poses are the perfect way to reset.
Let’s walk through this calming sequence that promotes mental clarity, emotional release, and deep physical relaxation.
1. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
This gentle resting pose creates space in your back and hips while calming the nervous system.
How to do it:
Kneel on the mat, sit back on your heels, and stretch your arms forward. Let your forehead rest on the floor.
Why it helps:
Relieves stress, opens the lower back, and encourages deep, conscious breathing.
2. Legs-Up-The-Wall (Viparita Karani)
One of the most restorative poses in yoga, this gentle inversion calms the mind and improves circulation.
How to do it:
Lie on your back and extend your legs up against a wall. Let your arms rest by your sides with palms facing up.
Why it helps:
Reduces anxiety, soothes swollen legs or feet, and helps relieve tension from the lower back.
3. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
A deep stretch for the spine and hamstrings, this pose encourages stillness and inner focus.
How to do it:
Sit with legs straight in front. Inhale to lengthen your spine, then exhale and fold forward from your hips, reaching toward your feet.
Why it helps:
Promotes relaxation, stretches the back, and gently massages the abdominal organs.
4. Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
This heart-opening pose softens the hips and invites a sense of calm.
How to do it:
Lie on your back and bring the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to drop outward. You can support your knees with cushions if needed.
Why it helps:
Eases anxiety, opens the chest and hips, and encourages slower breathing.
5. Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
This rhythmic movement balances energy and calms the mind.
How to do it:
Start on all fours. Inhale as you arch your back (Cow), lifting your head and tailbone. Exhale as you round your spine (Cat), tucking your chin. Repeat slowly.
Why it helps:
Releases tension from the spine and gently wakes up the body without overstimulation.
6. Thread the Needle (Parsva Balasana)
A gentle twist that targets the shoulders and upper back while calming the mind.
How to do it:
From all fours, slide your right arm under your left, lowering your right shoulder and cheek to the mat. Hold, then switch sides.
Why it helps:
Releases neck and shoulder tension and encourages turning inward.
7. Supine Spinal Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
This soothing pose stretches the spine and supports digestion while relaxing the body.
How to do it:
Lie on your back, draw one knee to your chest, and guide it across your body to the opposite side. Extend the other arm out and gaze away from the knee. Repeat on both sides.
Why it helps:
Releases spinal tension and supports emotional release.
8. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
This playful pose helps open the hips and lower back while gently calming your thoughts.
How to do it:
Lie on your back, bend your knees, and grab the outsides of your feet with your hands. Keep your back flat and gently rock side to side if it feels good.
Why it helps:
Soothes the nervous system and stretches the hips in a gentle, supportive way.
9. Sphinx Pose
A heart-opening backbend that’s gentle yet effective at easing mental fatigue.
How to do it:
Lie on your belly and prop yourself up on your forearms, elbows under shoulders. Press through the tops of your feet and lift your chest gently.
Why it helps:
Improves posture, strengthens the spine, and counters stress stored in the upper body.
10. Corpse Pose (Savasana)
The most essential relaxation pose, Savasana allows your body and mind to absorb all the benefits of your practice.
How to do it:
Lie flat on your back, legs extended and arms at your sides with palms facing up. Close your eyes and breathe naturally for 5–10 minutes.
Why it helps:
Promotes total relaxation, reduces blood pressure, and resets your entire system.