Daily 10-minute yoga to revitalize your stretching routine

An ideal daily yoga practice is any practice that you can incorporate into your daily life. Although studio classes and one-hour practices have their place, trying 10-minute yoga at home is a more doable and instantly enjoyable way to move your body, provide yourself with some grounding, experience relaxation, and replenish your energy reserves.

This practice is designed to help you relax and prepare for the rest of your day (or evening).

A daily 10-minute yoga routine

No props are needed for this practice, just you, a mat and a place to move. Your living room is a great option, but if you have the ability to do these stretches outside (even occasionally), definitely do so.

Child’s position

Start in Child’s position. Spread your knees as wide as you want, bring your big toes together to touch, and move your hands forward as you lower your head to the mat.

Stay here for 1-2 minutes.

Cow pose

When you’re ready, move your gaze forward and press up to get into tabletop position. With the next inhalation, lower your belly, lift your chin and chest, and arch your back inward Cow pose.

Cat pose

Exhale as you round your back and tuck your chin in Cat pose.

Repeat these poses 6 times, moving with the pace of your breathing.

Downward facing dog

On your next exhale, flex your toes and push your hips up and in Downward facing dog. Feel free to move your feet here, do some big bends in your knees, or sway from side to side before settling into stillness.

Stay here for 6 cycles of breathing.

Low impulsion

Look ahead and move your right foot forward until it lands between your hands, dropping your back knee to the mat Low impulsion. Lift your chest and let your palm rest on your right thigh.

If you wish, raise your arms up while still lifting your lower back.

Stay here for 5 cycles of breathing.

Downward facing dog

Exhale as you place your hands on the mat and return to Downward Facing Dog.

Plank position

Inhale as you move forward Plank position.

Knees-chest-chin

Exhale as you lower your knees, chest and chin to your mat.

Snake pose

With your next inhale, pull your heart and chest upward Snake pose.

Exhale back into Downward Facing Dog. Look forward, place your left foot between your hands, and repeat the following poses on the other side:

• Low impulsion
• Downward facing dog
• Plank position
• Knees-chest-chin
• Snake pose
• Downward facing dog

Three-legged dog

Inhale to raise your right leg to the sky in three-legged dog.

Low lizard lunge

With an exhale, send your right foot forward and drop to the outside of your planted hands into the Low Lizard Lunge. Release your back knee down to the mat.

Stay here for a full breathing cycle.

Different half divisions

Now, link breathing to movement. On your next exhale, shift your weight back, rise onto your right heel, and fold your chest forward into your right leg. Walk your arms out in front of you and bring your hands into a Half Splits Variation.

Inhale to return to Low Lizard Lunge. Repeat this cycle of movement 5 times while pacing your breath.

High lizard rush

On your next inhale, flex your back toe and lift your back knee into the High Lizard Lunge. Stay here for one cycle of breathing.

High torsion impulse

Keeping your left hand planted, send your right arm skyward in the High Twisting Lunge. Stay here for 3 cycles of breathing. Exhale to release, then land your right hand on the mat and return to Downward Dog.

Inhale through Plank position, Knees-chest-chinand Snake posefinished in Downward facing dog.

Repeat the following positions on the other side:

• Three-legged dog
• Low lizard lunge
• Different half divisions
• High lizard rush
• High torsion impulse
• Downward facing dog

Again, inhale Plank position, Knees-chest-chinand Snake posefinished in Downward facing dog.

Take one full breath here.

Puppy pose

Gently release your knees onto the mat. Place your hips over your knees and walk your hands forward, melting your core toward your mat while keeping your hips over your knees Puppy pose. Plant your chin or forehead on the mat, and feel free to step up on your tiptoes to stretch your shoulder more intensely.

Stay here for 5 cycles of breathing.

Thunderbolt mode

Move across the Tabletop before sitting on your heels in the Thunderbolt. Inhale to reach your arms above your head, then exhale to bring your hands together at the heart center.

Pause here and allow your energy to settle, returning to your body and breathing. Thank yourself for making daily yoga part of your routine.