The best yoga stretches are the ones that invite you to chill out and wind down. This 10-minute practice proves it.
Published July 23, 2026 06:00AM
Sometimes the best yoga stretches are the ones that help you simply chill out and wind down. Practicing close-to-the-mat yoga poses can provide the stretching and strengthening you need without building heat. The result is a more relaxed body, mind, and outlook.
This yoga practice is designed to ease your tight muscles and slow your racing thoughts, allowing you to find a sense of stillness. Carry this cool energy with you into your evening, afternoon, or your entire day. Regardless of what’s happening in the world around you, remember that you can always find your chill.
Best Yoga Stretches for a 10-Minute Wind-Down
You’ll need a block or two for this yoga practice. The goal is not to over exert yourself, so let yourself take whatever support is available to you.
Waterfall Pose
Begin lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on your mat. Lift your hips and slide a block on its lowest level beneath your sacrum. Rock your hips slightly toward you and gently lift or kick your feet up to Waterfall Pose or, if you are close to a wall, Legs Up the Wall.
Stay here or reach your arms toward the sky with limp wrists, in as soft and low-effort fashion as possible. Breathe here for 1-2 minutes.
Take 3 breaths to release Waterfall as slowly as you possibly can. Lift your hips up and move your block to the side.
Windshield Wipers
Heel-toe your feet wide and extend your arms out wide to the sides. Let your legs fall over toward the right, then come back through center, and then over to the left.
Keep moving through Windshield Wipers 2 times on each side.
The last time your legs fall to the right, pause. Stay here, or rest your right ankle atop your left knee.
Stay here for 4 cycles of breath before coming back through center and switching sides.
Seated Twist
Roll onto one side and draw your knees toward your chest in a fetal position. Take your time as you press yourself up and find a comfortable seat. Extend your right leg long in front of you and step your left foot to the outside of your right leg.
Inhale as you sweep your arms toward the sky, exhale as you twist toward the left. Your left hand or fingertips land behind you while your right hand hugs your right leg close toward your chest. Each time you inhale, sit a bit taller.
Stay here for 2 cycles of breath before releasing and uncrossing.
Head-to-Knee Pose
Bring your left foot to the inside of your right thigh. Inhale as you sweep your arms toward the sky, exhale as you fold forward over your right led in Head-to-Knee Pose. Feel free to put a bend in your knee here.
Stay still here or take a gentle sway from side to side. Stay here for 2 cycles of breath.
Stargazer Pose
Walk your hands back in and lift your chest upright. Inhale as you sweep your arms toward the sky once more. Plant your left hand behind you and press your palm down as you lift your hips and sweep your right arm overhead in Stargazer Pose or Baby Wild Thing.
Make 2 large circles with your right arm before settling your sit bones back to the earth.
Pigeon Pose
Bend into your right knee and ease your body forward, gently extending your left leg long behind you in Pigeon Pose. If this isn’t accessible to you, come into 90/90 instead by bending both knees at right angles. In either posture, either lift up through your chest, or fold forward over your front right shin.
Stay here for 5 cycles of breath.
When you’re ready, press up into a seated position and repeat Seated Twist, Head-to-Knee, Stargazer, and Pigeon on the opposite side.
Knees-to-Chest
Slowly lower yourself all the way down to the earth. Hug your knees to your chest and give yourself a little rock from side to side.
Savasana
Lengthen your legs and arms long in Savasana. Stay here for 1-5 minutes or as long as you’d like.
