Floor Yoga for Back and Hips
Return to familiar floor poses in a half-hour practice with reclined stretching, Bridge and rest.
Begin close to the ground and give yourself time to settle. This whole practice stays on the mat, moving between seated, all-fours and reclining positions. A longer practice gives you space to settle. Keep a little effort in reserve so the last part feels as unhurried as the first. When you reach Corpse Pose, let the floor support you for 3 minutes before you sit up.
The sequence
- Warm up
-
01
Easy Seat“Lift from the crown, not the chest”
1m
-
02
Tabletop“Push the floor away”
1m 57s
- Flow
-
03
Cat–Cow“Move from the tailbone first”
1m 57s
-
04
Bird Dog“Reach long, not high”
1m 57s
-
05
Extended Puppy“Melt the heart”
1m 57s
-
06
Child’s Pose“Let the forehead be heavy”
1m 1s
-
07
Sphinx Pose“Pull the chest forward”
1m 1s
-
08
Cobra Pose“Lift with the back, not the arms”
1m 1s
-
09
Knees-to-Chest“Hug and release with the breath”
1m 1s
-
10
Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe“Heel to the ceiling”
1m 1s
-
11
Bridge Pose“Press the feet, lift the hips”
1m 1s
-
12
Child’s Pose“Let the forehead be heavy”
1m 1s
-
13
Sphinx Pose“Pull the chest forward”
1m 1s
-
14
Cobra Pose“Lift with the back, not the arms”
1m 1s
-
15
Knees-to-Chest“Hug and release with the breath”
1m 1s
-
16
Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe“Heel to the ceiling”
1m 1s
-
17
Bridge Pose“Press the feet, lift the hips”
1m 1s
-
18
Child’s Pose“Let the forehead be heavy”
1m 1s
- Cool down
-
19
Sphinx Pose“Pull the chest forward”
1m 5s
-
20
Reclined Twist“Let gravity twist you”
3m 54s
- Rest
-
21
Corpse Pose“Let the floor hold you”
3m
What helps
Props that make this easier
- Non-slip yoga mat A 4–6 mm mat with good grip makes standing poses steadier. View on Amazon
- Cork yoga block Brings the floor closer in forward folds and supported poses. View on Amazon
- Yoga bolster A firm support under knees or spine for restorative rest. View on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, YogiSoul earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon in your country’s store.
Other 30-minute practices
All practicesDesk Yoga Reset
A half-hour workday reset with repeated standing stretches and two visits to a seated twist.
Evening Yoga to Wind Down
Spend half an hour on the floor, returning to familiar folds and twists before a longer quiet finish.
Intermediate Hatha Flow
A half-hour Hatha sequence with lunges, balances, Plank, backbends and a return to the warrior series.


