Move slowly through this relief flow whenever your lower back needs a reset after long hours of sitting or training.
Rag Doll
Duration: 01:00
Fold like a rag doll to let your spine decompress and your hamstrings stretch gently.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and knees softly bent.
- Inhale to reach arms overhead and lengthen your spine.
- Exhale to hinge at the hips, letting your torso drape forward.
- Grab opposite elbows and allow head and arms to hang heavy.
Tips
- Distribute weight evenly between heels and balls of the feet.
- Focus on lengthening your spine instead of trying to touch the floor.
Adjustments
- Bend your knees more deeply if your back feels tight.
- Rest elbows on a block or chair for extra support.
Lunge
Duration: 02:00
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.
Child's Pose
Duration: 01:00
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.
Cat Cow
Duration: 01:00
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.
Thunderbolt
Duration: 01:00
Sit back on your heels in thunderbolt to stretch your shins and ankles while encouraging calm posture.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Kneel with knees together and tops of your feet on the floor.
- Sit back on your heels with big toes touching and heels slightly apart.
- Rest hands on thighs, palms down, and sit tall with shoulders relaxed.
Tips
- Engage your core to support the lower back.
Adjustments
- Place a cushion between your heels and hips if sitting back feels intense.
- Slide a folded blanket under your knees for extra comfort.
Seated Fold
Duration: 01:00
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.
Seated Straddle
Duration: 01:00
Slide into a wide-legged seat and fold forward to stretch your inner thighs and hamstrings with intention.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended, then open them wide into a straddle.
- Place your hands on the floor in front of you and lengthen your spine.
- Hinge at the hips to reach forward, lowering your torso toward the floor while breathing steadily.
Tips
- Keep your back long and avoid rounding as you fold.
- Flex your feet and point toes upward to keep legs active.
Adjustments
- Rest hands on blocks or a chair if reaching forward feels challenging.
- Sit on a folded blanket to elevate your hips and create more comfort.
Knees-to-Chest
Duration: 01:00
Hug your knees to your chest to release the lower back and gently stretch the hips.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend both knees and draw them toward your chest.
- Wrap your arms around your shins and hug the knees in, breathing deeply.
Tips
- Let your head and neck relax on the floor.
- Keep your lower back gently pressing into the mat.
Adjustments
- Hold behind your thighs instead of the shins if that feels better for your body.
Lying Figure Four
Duration: 02:00
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.
Happy Baby
Duration: 01:00
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.
Legs-up-Wall
Duration: 01:00
Kick your legs up the wall to refresh tired legs and calm your nervous system.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with one hip next to a wall, then lie back and swing your legs up in one smooth motion.
- Scoot your hips as close to the wall as is comfortable and extend your legs straight up.
- Rest your arms by your sides with palms up and breathe deeply.
Tips
- Keep your legs relaxed and knees soft.
Adjustments
- Move your hips a little farther from the wall if your hamstrings feel tight.
- Place a cushion or folded blanket under your hips for extra support.
Roll onto your side, come up slowly, and carry that lighter back with you.
