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Yoga for Back Relief — Session 7

This 35-minute beginner workout focuses on 35 minute yoga for back and shoulder relief. Led by Petra Kapiciakova, it targets spine, shoulders, glutes with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

14 exercises in Session 7

Strength3 exercises
5m 37s
2:16
Glute Bridge with Pillow Squeeze

Inhale, lift your hips up, and squeeze the pillow.

glutesinner thighslower backpelvic floor
low
3:31
Glute Bridge with Strap Resistance

Push your legs into the strap, so you're pushing out, you're engaging your glutes.

glutesouter thighships
medium
6:21
Side-Lying Leg Lifts

Try not to tilt to the front or hip back. Hips on top of each other.

outer thighsglutescore
medium
Flexibility2 exercises
2m 33s
5:46
Knee Hugs and Back Massage

Hug your knees and rock side to side.

lower backspine
low
13:31
Seated Side Stretch

Lengthening through your arm, opening your shoulder.

spineshouldersupper back
low
Balance1 exercise
1m 59s
21:01
Bird Dog

Synchronize the movement with your breath.

coreglutesspineshoulders
medium
breathing2 exercises
12m 11s
0:00
Supine Centering and Breathing

Observe the length of your inhale, and the length of your exhale.

spineshoulders
low
25:01
Equal Breathing (Sama Vritti)

Breathing through your nose without any sounds.

full bodyspine
low
yoga6 exercises
12m 24s
8:31
Puppy Pose

Letting the gravity to pull your chest, to pull your belly down.

shoulderschestupper backspine
low
10:31
Cat Pose

Roll your back, round it into your cat, push the mat away.

spineupper backneck
low
11:01
Threading the Needle

Using the weight of your body to deepen the stretch in your shoulders.

shouldersupper backspine
low
15:31
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

With a straight back, we reach to the front... we are hinging through the hips.

hamstringsspinelower back
medium
17:31
Seated Spinal Twist

Try to look as far to the right as you can... stretching our eyes here.

spineneckhips
low
23:01
Child's Pose with Side Stretch

Soften your hips, sinking towards your heels.

hipslower backshoulders
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

spineshouldersglutes

Secondary

lower backupper backhips

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • place a pillow between your legs
  • use a towel or regular belt if you don't have a strap
  • use a pillow under your body
  • bring chin to mat to go deeper
  • extend hand to front
  • bring arm behind back to reach for inner thigh
  • look down if it's too much for your neck
  • keep knees slightly bent
  • use a pillow under knees
  • use a strap under feet
  • support glutes with a pillow
  • keep elbows down
  • come on fingertips to lift elbows

Coaching Highlights from Petra Kapiciakova

Push your legs into the strap, so you're pushing out, you're engaging your glutes.

Form

If you feel that you are over-arching your back, then just keep your forehead down.

Safety

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 spine and shoulders 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 painbalancechronic paincore strengthfatigueflexibilityhip paininsomniaposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this yoga workout target?

The primary focus here is spine, shoulders, glutes. You will also feel work in your lower back, upper back — I designed these 14 movements across 35 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. Perfect for yoga poses for beginners. Great for anyone interested in yoga poses names.

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. Great for anyone interested in yoga for lower back pain.

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 35 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 14 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: place a pillow between your legs; use a towel or regular belt if you don't have a strap; use a pillow under your body — 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 — I built this for women who are either starting fresh or coming back after a break. 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