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Yoga for Back Relief — Session 3

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

Exercise Breakdown

16 exercises in Session 3

Flexibility1 exercise
44s
5:31
Seated Windshield Wipers

Dropping your knees side to side.

hipslower backhamstrings
low
Cool-down2 exercises
2m 7s
12:31
Knee Hugs and Back Massage

Hug your knees and rock side to side.

lower backspine
low
28:01
Seated Knee Hug and Back Rounding

Inhaling into your chest, you're gonna feel this nice stretch in your upper back.

upper backspineshoulders
low
breathing1 exercise
2m
0:00
Seated Centering and Breathing

Roll your shoulders back and keep your spine straight.

hipsshouldersspineneck
low
yoga12 exercises
24m 33s
2:01
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana variation)

Keep your feet flexed, toes pointed up.

hamstringslower backupper backglutesneck
low
6:16
Reclined Hamstring Stretch with Strap (Right)

If you notice that you are bringing your shoulders up, try to soften them.

hamstringshipslower back
low
9:41
Reclined Half Happy Baby (Right)

Turn your head to opposite direction, stretching your neck.

hipsinner thighshamstringsneck
low
11:01
Reclined Spinal Twist (Right)

Keeping your shoulders on the mat.

spinelower backshouldersneck
low
13:01
Reclined Hamstring Stretch with Strap (Left)

If you flex it more towards your face... you're gonna feel this nice, deeper stretch.

hamstringshipslower back
low
15:31
Reclined Half Happy Baby (Left)

Use your right hand to gently press your hip down.

hipsinner thighshamstrings
low
16:51
Reclined Spinal Twist (Left)

Soften your shoulders, soften your abdomen, soften your hips.

spinelower backshoulders
low
18:21
Figure Four Stretch (Right)

Gently pushing your knee out with your right elbow.

glutesouter thighshipslower backhamstrings
low
20:31
Figure Four Stretch (Left)

Sink your lower back into the mat.

glutesouter thighshipslower backhamstrings
low
22:31
Half Frog Pose (Right)

We are not opening our hip to the side, we are pushing our hip down.

hipsinner thighslower backspine
low
24:41
Half Frog Pose (Left)

Notice if there is any tension in your hip. If yes, release with your exhale.

hipsinner thighslower backspine
low
26:41
Child's Pose

Lowering your head down.

lower backhipsshouldersspine
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

lower backhipsspine

Secondary

hamstringsshouldersneck

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Sitting on a pillow to elevate hips
  • Keep legs straight with feet together
  • Open legs to the sides for more space
  • Use a chair to rest arms if reaching the floor is too low
  • Hugging a pillow for support
  • Keep left knee bent to protect lower back
  • Extend left leg straight for deeper stretch
  • Use a belt, towel, or scarf if no strap is available
  • Bring knee higher if shoulder lifts off the mat
  • Keep right knee bent or straight
  • Keep hands behind the knee
  • Use a wall or chair to rest the foot
  • Straighten the bottom leg for deeper hamstring stretch
  • Straighten the right leg for deeper stretch
  • Use a pillow under the belly or chest
  • Walk hands forward to reduce back arch
  • Move hips side to side to relax

Coaching Highlights from Petra Kapiciakova

If you flex it more towards your face... you're gonna feel this nice, deeper stretch.

Form

Anytime you are turning your head to one side, just always halfway, you can turn the head the other way.

Safety

If it's too much for your back, you can open your legs to the sides to make more space.

Modification

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 hips 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 painneck painposturesciaticastress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is lower back, hips, spine. You will also feel work in your hamstrings, shoulders — I designed these 16 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 mat. Don't have one? A thick towel, carpet 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 16 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: Sitting on a pillow to elevate hips; Keep legs straight with feet together; Open legs to the sides for more space — 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