7 best yoga exercises to help you relax

Sometimes, the best yoga exercises are the ones that help you relax and calm down. Practicing yoga poses close to the mat can provide the stretching and strengthening you need without overheating. The result is a more relaxed body, mind, and outlook.

This yoga practice is designed to loosen your tight muscles and slow down your racing thoughts, allowing you to find a sense of stillness. Carry this wonderful energy with you into the evening, afternoon or your entire day. No matter what’s going on in the world around you, remember that you can always find what comforts you.

The best yoga exercises for relaxation for 10 minutes

You’ll need a block or two for this yoga practice. The goal is not to overwork yourself, so allow yourself to take whatever support is available to you.

Waterfall pose

Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on your mat. Lift your hips and move the mass to its lowest level below the sacrum. Rock your hips slightly toward you and gently lift or kick your feet into a waterfall position, or if you’re close to a wall, Legs up the wall.

Stay here or raise your arms toward the sky with relaxed wrists, in as smooth and low-effort manner as possible. Breathe here for 1-2 minutes.

Take 3 breaths to release the waterfall as slowly as possible. Lift your hips up and move the block to the side.

Windshield wipers

Heel your toes wide and extend your arms wide out to the sides. Let your legs fall toward the right, then come back through the center, then to the left.

Continue to move through the windshield wipers twice on each side.

The last time you drop your legs to the right, pause. Stay here, or rest your right ankle over your left knee.

Stay here for 4 breathing cycles before returning to the center and switching sides.

Seated twist

Lie on one side and pull your knees toward your chest in a fetal position. Take your time as you push yourself up and find a comfortable seat. Extend your right leg in front of you and move your left foot to the outside of your right leg.

Inhale as you move your arms toward the sky, then exhale as you move to the left. Your left hand or fingertips land behind you while your right hand hugs your right leg close to your chest. Each time you inhale, sit up a little taller.

Stay here for two cycles of breathing before releasing and canceling the crossing.

Head to knee position

Bring your left foot to the inside of your right thigh. Inhale as you extend your arms toward the sky, then exhale as you fold forward over the front of your right hand Head to knee position. Feel free to put a bend in your knee here.

Stay still here or gently sway from side to side. Stay here for two cycles of breathing.

Stargazer pose

Step your hands back and raise your chest to an upright position. Inhale as you move your arms toward the sky again. Place your left hand behind you and press your palm down while raising your hips and moving your right arm into Stargazer Pose or Baby Wild thing.

Make two large circles with your right arm before returning your sit bones to the floor.

Dove pose

Bend at your right knee and move your body forward, gently extending your left leg behind you Dove pose. If this isn’t available to you, you can reach 90/90 instead by bending your knees at a right angle. In either position, you either lift through your chest, or fold forward over your right front leg.

Stay here for 5 cycles of breathing.

When you’re ready, press up into a sitting position and repeat Seated twist, From head to knee, Stargazerand pigeon On the other side.

From knees to chest

Slowly lower yourself until you reach the floor. Hug your knees to your chest and give yourself a little rock from side to side.

Savasana

Stretch your legs and arms long in Savasana. Stay here for 1-5 minutes or as long as you want.