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Yoga for Back Relief — Session 1

This 30-minute beginner workout focuses on yoga for lower back and hip relief. Led by Petra Kapiciakova, it targets lower back, spine, hips with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

7 exercises in Session 1

Cool-down1 exercise
9m 14s
21:41
Final Relaxation (Savasana)

Relax the crown of your head... relax your forehead.

full body
low
breathing1 exercise
2m 30s
0:30
Supine Breathing and Grounding

Allowing your belly to rise with your inhale.

lower backcorespine
low
yoga5 exercises
18m 35s
3:01
Supported Child's Pose

With your inhale, you're gonna widen your lower back. With your exhale, you release the tension.

lower backhipsspine
low
6:01
Supine Spinal Twist

With your exhale, you're gonna drop your knees to the left.

lower backspineshoulderships
low
11:01
Knees-to-Chest Rocking

Bring your knees onto your chest... we just rock side to side, massaging your back.

lower backspine
low
11:41
Supported Figure Four Stretch

Bringing your right ankle on top of your left thigh.

hipsgluteslower back
low
17:31
Legs on Chair Decompression

Allow your body naturally arch... allowing to decompress your spine.

lower backspinecalves
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

lower backspinehips

Secondary

coreshouldersglutes

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • chair
  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

sturdy tablecounterwallthick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Lie on the side first then roll on back if in pain
  • Knees together and feet wide apart
  • Use a pillow between the knees
  • Place a pillow between the legs
  • Support head with a blanket
  • Keep heel on a blanket
  • Interlock fingers behind the knee
  • Gently push knee away instead of pulling
  • Legs against the wall
  • Pillow under the knees

Coaching Highlights from Petra Kapiciakova

With your inhale, you're gonna widen your lower back. With your exhale, you release the tension.

Form

In case you have any back pain here, you're gonna first lie on the side and then gently roll on your back.

Safety

Place the pillow between your legs, so you can completely relax your back.

Modification

My entire body is completely relaxed.

Motivation

Barre is Pilates with a heartbeat — I designed these sequences for women who want sculpting work without joint impact. Every move has a reason — I'll tell you what muscle we're targeting and why it matters for your daily life.

Form

Health Benefits

Women navigating Pelvic Floor, anxiety will find this session particularly relevant. The focus on lower back and spine addresses the specific tension patterns and movement deficits that often accompany these conditions. No prior experience needed — every movement has a modification.

Relevant For

anxietyback painchronic painfatigueflexibilityhip paininsomniaposturesciaticastress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is lower back, spine, hips. You will also feel work in your core, shoulders — I designed these 7 movements across 30 minutes so each body area gets attention without rushing through transitions. The sequencing follows a natural flow that lets your body warm into deeper ranges gradually. Great for anyone interested in yoga for lower back pain. Many women use this as part of their lower back dumbbell exercises routine.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll want chair, mat. Don't have them? A sturdy table, counter, wall works fine — I've taught this sequence with improvised props more times than I can count. The movement matters more than the equipment. Perfect for yoga poses for beginners.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

Yes. Absolutely. No prior experience needed. Every exercise includes form cues, and there are modifications throughout. Here is what I tell new students: if something feels wrong — sharp pain, dizziness, strain in your neck — back off. Yoga should challenge you, not punish you.

How long is this workout?

About 30 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 7 movements. Some days that flies by. Some days minute 20 feels like an hour. Both are normal.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Yes. Modifications are cued throughout. Examples: Lie on the side first then roll on back if in pain; Knees together and feet wide apart; Use a pillow between the knees — I've been teaching long enough to know that the 'full expression' of a pose isn't the goal. The goal is finding the version that challenges YOUR body without breaking it. Use every modification offered. That's not weakness — that's intelligence.

Do I need yoga experience for this class?

Yes. Absolutely. No prior experience needed. Every exercise includes form cues, and there are modifications throughout. Here is what I tell new students: if something feels wrong — sharp pain, dizziness, strain in your neck — back off. Yoga should challenge you, not punish you.

How often should I do this yoga workout?

Two to three times per week is the sweet spot for most women. Daily is fine too if your body responds well — yoga is forgiving that way — I've seen better results from consistent shorter sessions than from one heroic weekend marathon. Pair it with a different movement style on alternate days — a walk, some light strength work, even just stretching at your desk.

Can yoga help with Pelvic Floor?

There is clinical evidence supporting yoga for Pelvic Floor. The mechanism: pelvic floor strengthening — I want to be honest though — movement is one piece. It's powerful, but it works best alongside sleep, nutrition, and stress management. If Pelvic Floor is significantly impacting your quality of life, talk to a specialist. This workout can be part of your plan, not your entire plan.

Why is breathing so important in yoga?

Breathing is not decoration. In yoga, your breath literally determines how deep you can go into a movement and how your nervous system responds. Exhale on effort, inhale on release — that's the basic pattern. But here is what most instructors don't say: if you can't breathe smoothly in a position, you've gone too far. Your breath is your honest feedback system. The diaphragmatic breathing in this session activates your parasympathetic nervous system — the 'rest and digest' mode that most women in their 30s and 40s desperately need more of. This session is particularly effective as a yoga for stress relief option.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Petra Kapiciakova

Petra Kapiciakova

Yoga Trainer

From: Yoga for Back Relief