About This Intermediate Lower Back Routine
Once basic stretches no longer challenge you, your lower back needs more comprehensive work to continue improving. Research demonstrates that comprehensive stretching and mobility programs are effective for managing chronic low back pain and improving function.1 This intermediate lower back routine combines hip opening, spinal twists, and floor-based stretches that address your lumbar spine from every angle.
What This Routine Targets
Your lower back connects to your hips, pelvis, and thoracic spine. This routine addresses all of these connections through lunges that release tight hip flexors, twists that mobilize your spine, and floor stretches that target the glutes and hamstrings contributing to back tension.
What’s Included
This twelve-minute routine includes fourteen exercises. You’ll flow from cat-cow through yoga-inspired positions, work through lunges and twists, and finish with restorative floor stretches that calm your nervous system while releasing deep tension.
Who Should Try This
This routine suits anyone who has moved beyond beginner back stretches and wants more thorough relief. It’s especially helpful for persistent lower back tightness that doesn’t fully respond to simpler routines.
Tips for Best Results
Move mindfully between positions, using your breath to deepen each stretch. Exhale as you twist or fold, inhale as you extend. Pay attention to any positions that feel particularly effective and note them for future focus.
Cat Cow
Duration: 0:30
Flow through cat and cow to mobilize your spine and melt away stiffness one breath at a time.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Begin on hands and knees with wrists under shoulders and knees under hips.
- Inhale as you drop your belly, lift your chest, and gaze forward or slightly up.
- Exhale as you round your spine, draw the belly toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin.
- Continue gliding between the two shapes in rhythm with your breath.
Tips
- Move slowly enough that each vertebra gets a moment of attention.
Adjustments
- Keep your head more neutral if your neck prefers less movement.
Upward Dog
Duration: 0:30
Press into upward dog to open your chest and stretch the front of your body with strength.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your stomach with legs extended and hands under your shoulders.
- Press into your palms, straighten your arms, and lift your chest and thighs off the floor.
- Relax your shoulders away from your ears and gaze slightly upward.
Tips
- Only your palms and the tops of your feet should touch the floor.
- Keep arms straight without locking your elbows.
Adjustments
- Keep thighs on the floor for a gentler version if needed.
Child's Pose
Duration: 0:30
Melt into child's pose to reset your breath and relax the back with a calming stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then widen your knees while keeping big toes touching.
- Sit your hips back toward your heels and reach your hands forward.
- Lower your chest between your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor or a support.
Tips
- Crawl your fingertips forward to deepen the stretch through the sides of your body.
- Let your chest sink toward the ground with each exhale.
Adjustments
- Keep knees closer together if that feels better for your hips.
- Rest your forehead on a block, pillow, or folded blanket if it does not reach the floor.
Downward Dog
Duration: 0:30
Press back into downward dog to lengthen your spine, open the shoulders, and stretch the entire backside.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start in tabletop, tuck your toes, and press through your hands to lift hips up and back.
- Straighten your legs as much as feels good while keeping a soft bend in the knees.
- Reach your chest toward your thighs and lengthen through your spine as your heels reach toward the floor.
Tips
- Let your head hang between your arms so your neck relaxes.
- Spread weight evenly between hands and feet.
- Keep knees slightly bent if hamstrings feel tight.
Adjustments
- Bend the knees more deeply or elevate hands on a chair for a lighter option.
- Come onto your forearms or place a block under your hands if wrists need relief.
Lunge
Duration: 1:00
Sink into a kneeling lunge to stretch your hip flexors and lengthen the front of your body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start kneeling and step one foot forward, planting it flat in front of you.
- Press your hips forward as you raise both arms overhead.
- Lift through your chest and reach toward the ceiling while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep the front knee stacked over the ankle for stability.
- Press the top of your back foot into the floor to engage the rear leg.
- Stay tall through your torso to avoid dumping into the lower back.
Adjustments
- Rest your hands on your front thigh if reaching overhead feels intense.
- Place a towel or cushion under your back knee for comfort.
- Hold onto a wall or chair for balance when needed.
Reverse Lunge
Duration: 1:00
From a kneeling stance, extend one leg forward to stretch the backside while keeping your balance dialed in.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Begin kneeling with knees hip-width apart and tops of your feet on the floor.
- Extend one leg forward, pressing the heel into the ground and keeping the leg straight.
- Hinge at your hips to lower the torso toward the floor, placing hands down for balance.
- Hold the stretch briefly, then switch legs.
Tips
- Keep your chest lifted and back long even as you hinge forward.
Adjustments
- Place a folded blanket under your kneeling knee for comfort.
Butterfly
Duration: 0:30
Drop into butterfly pose to open the hips and groin while you breathe space into tight muscles.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit tall with legs extended, then bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together.
- Hold your feet or ankles and let your knees fall out to the sides.
- Press the knees gently toward the floor while keeping the spine long.
Tips
- Use your elbows to nudge the thighs downward only if it feels comfortable.
- Lift through the chest and avoid rounding your back.
Adjustments
- Place cushions under your thighs when the hips need extra support.
- Sit on a folded blanket to elevate your seat and create more ease.
Seated Twist
Duration: 1:00
Twist from a seated position to wring out your spine and open your chest.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended, then cross one foot over the opposite thigh and plant it on the floor.
- Lengthen through your spine and place the opposite elbow outside the lifted knee while the other hand grounds behind you.
- Twist your torso and turn your gaze over the back shoulder as you breathe deeply.
Tips
- Grow tall through the crown of your head before deepening the twist.
Adjustments
- Keep the bottom leg extended or bend it underneath you based on comfort.
- Hug the knee with your arm instead of using the elbow for a gentler variation.
Seated Fold
Duration: 0:30
Reach forward from a tall seat to stretch your hamstrings and back with a calming fold.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended and reach your arms overhead to lengthen your spine.
- Hinge at the hips and fold forward, reaching for your toes, shins, or ankles.
- Hold the stretch while breathing slowly, keeping your spine long.
Tips
- Focus on hinging from the hips instead of rounding your back.
Adjustments
- Use a strap around your feet or keep hands on your shins if your toes feel far away.
- Keep a slight bend in the knees if your hamstrings are tight.
Quad Stretch
Duration: 1:00
Stretch your quads by tucking one foot beside you and leaning back into a deep, satisfying release.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended, then bend one knee and draw the heel back toward your glute.
- Hold the ankle and tuck the foot directly under your hip.
- Lean back onto your elbows or as far as comfortable while breathing into the stretch.
Tips
- Keep your hips, knees, and ankles in one line.
- Make sure the foot stays tucked under your glute rather than flaring out to the side.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap around your foot if reaching the ankle feels tough.
- Lie on your side and pull the foot toward you for a softer variation if your knees are sensitive.
Lying Figure Four
Duration: 1:00
Ease into a lying figure four to release tight glutes and soothe your lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh just above the knee.
- Lift the bottom leg and clasp hands behind the thigh, gently pulling the legs toward your chest.
Tips
- Relax your head and shoulders on the floor.
- Keep your lower back pressing gently into the mat.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap behind your thigh if reach is an issue.
- Leave the bottom foot on the floor for a lighter stretch.
Spinal Twist
Duration: 1:00
Twist gently on your back to stretch your spine, chest, and glutes all at once.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend one knee and place the foot on the floor.
- Lower the bent knee across your body toward the opposite side while your torso and hips twist.
- Place your opposite hand on the outside of the bent knee and extend the other arm out to the side.
Tips
- Keep both shoulders grounded on the floor.
Adjustments
- Support the bent knee with a cushion or block if needed.
Single Knee-to-Chest
Duration: 1:00
Hug one knee at a time toward your chest to ease tension in your lower back and hips.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend one knee and draw it toward your chest, clasping your shin with both hands.
- Gently pull the knee closer while keeping the opposite leg long and relaxed.
Tips
- Relax your head and neck on the floor.
- Keep hips square and lower back grounded.
Adjustments
- Hold behind your thigh or use a towel around your knee if reaching your shin is difficult.
Happy Baby
Duration: 0:30
Rock into happy baby to soothe your lower back and open your hips with a playful stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
- Lift your feet and draw knees toward your armpits.
- Grab the outer edges of your feet and gently pull your knees toward the floor while keeping your low back grounded.
Tips
- Press your tailbone toward the floor to keep the lower back happy.
- Relax your shoulders and jaw while you breathe.
Adjustments
- Hold your ankles or calves if reaching your feet is a stretch today.
Progressing Your Back Care
Notice the difference by gently arching and rounding your spine when you finish. Comprehensive routines like this create lasting improvements in how your lower back feels.
Practice this flow two to three times per week to maintain and build on your progress. As these positions become comfortable, the relief they provide will last longer between sessions.
