5 Gentle Yoga Poses to Help You Relax and Unwind

During the colder months, you may find yourself gravitating toward reflection and downshifting, but that can be a valuable strategy to deploy year round—even on long, sunny days. However, knowing you need some relief and actually finding it are two different things. Gentle yoga poses may offer a bridge between them. 

What Is Gentle Yoga?

"Gentle yoga is easier and less intense than a regular yoga class and focuses on slow, thoughtful movements," says Peloton instructor Kristin McGee. "These moves are very accessible to all levels." 

Although the term "gentle yoga" can describe a restorative or slow flow class, there are key differences between these types of practices, she says. With restorative yoga, you often turn to props—such as blankets and blocks—and settle into a pose for an extended period of time. With slow flow yoga, it's still a Vinyasa style, Kristin says, meaning you move between poses in a fluid sequence. Even though these classes operate at a slower pace, they can still be very challenging. 

The Benefits of Gentle Yoga Poses

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced yoga practitioner, you’re likely familiar with the practice’s ability to create a stronger mind-body connection. This often stems from the emphasis on paying attention to your breath as you move into each pose. And thanks to longer holds and low-intensity postures, it's easier to tap into this mind-body groove with gentle yoga poses. Here are some other benefits of this kind of practice.

1. Reduced Stress, Better Sleep

One of the top reasons to do gentle yoga postures is for relaxation, Kristin says. Not only do these kinds of poses provide some relief and calm while you're practicing, but they can also have a significant ripple effect on your health if you do them regularly.

For example, a 2012 study published in Evidence-Based and Complementary and Alternative Medicine examining the effect of a gentle Iyengar yoga practice on sleep, stress, and cardiovascular markers in women with restless leg syndrome found that eight weeks of this type of yoga resulted in considerable improvements in the sleep quality, mood, blood pressure, and resting heart rate of participants, compared to those who watched an educational video series—and didn’t practice yoga. The participants in the yoga group also reported lower levels of anxiety and stress in everyday life.

2. Increased Flexibility and Balance

If you struggle with flexibility, balance, and overall mobility, gentle yoga poses can be an effective way to boost all of those, Kristin says.

A 2016 study published in The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences that compared a Hatha yoga practice to a program of stretching and strengthening exercises found that yoga was just as effective as the exercises in improving the functional fitness of participants. 

The combination of flexibility and balance is crucial for reducing your risk of injury during workouts, as well as creating a greater range of motion overall—a vital part of maintaining joint health.

3. Accessibility

Yoga can complement your regular workouts, and gentle poses may be particularly helpful when it comes to any mobility limitations, says Carol Mack, a physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach in Cleveland, Ohio.

For example, if you're coming back from an injury or feeling less flexible than you want to be, gentle yoga postures won’t place a lot of strain on your joints and muscles—making them a great starting point. If you’re new to yoga, the slower pace of a restorative, slow flow, or Hatha class can help you learn proper form compared to one that's faster or more intense, Mack adds. 

How Often Should You Do Gentle Yoga?

"Gentle yoga is great to mix into a workout routine, or even to blend with other types of yoga, such as power yoga," Kristin says. "Think of it like your easy run days as opposed to intervals or speed work."

Consider using a gentle yoga sequence as a cooldown after your workout or as your secondary type of yoga if you're used to doing a more intense practice on other days.

As with other types of yoga, it's important to avoid doing too much, too quickly, Mack adds. Even though gentle yoga postures are less intense than power-based movements, it's still possible to overstretch or shift into an uncomfortable position, she says.

Our 5 Favorite Gentle Yoga Poses

Want to start practicing some gentle yoga postures? Here, Kristin offers some of her favorite poses to try. 

Child's Pose

This is a foundational pose in many yoga styles, including restorative and slow flow practices, because it offers an opportunity to reset both your body and mind.

Standing Forward Fold

Also called a forward fold, this pose offers a mind-body connection while also gently stretching your hamstrings.

Supported Bridge

To make this standard pose into a gentle yoga posture, you just need a yoga block, blanket, or bolster to put under your lower back.

Supine Twist

When you hear "supine" in yoga, it refers to lying on your back. This gives you a feeling of support for any pose, particularly in a twist. 

Supine Butterfly

From Supine Twist, it's an easy transition into Supine Butterfly. While still lying down, bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together, so your legs naturally fall open—your knees may be on the floor or slightly hovering about your mat. If it's uncomfortable, put a block under each knee to make this gentle yoga move a bit more restorative.