A Relaxing Yin Yoga Sequence Practiced at the Wall

Yoga at the Wall is a special type of practice that utilizes a wall for support and comfort. And there are few practices better than a high-quality wall yin yoga sequence. Yin yoga is the perfect practice to take to the wall because using the wall as a prop allows you to deeply embody the yin principle of release.

Yin encourages practitioners to find a comfortable “edge” (or sustainable position of comfort), to commit to stillness, and to commit to staying in the pose for some time. Using a wall perfectly supports all of these goals.

Yoga At the Wall: Use This Yin Yoga Sequence to Relax and Release

You’ll need some clear wall space and your yoga mat for this practice. You may wish to have a blanket or pillow nearby for extra comfort.

1. Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

This classic wall yoga pose is the perfect start to this wall-yin yoga sequence.

1. Place your mat against a clear wall.
2. Sit in front of the wall with your right hip touching it, and your knees bent with your feet flat against the floor.
3. Place your hands behind you and lean your weight into your arms so that you can lift your feet from the floor.
4. Pivot on your seat to turn to face toward the wall and simultaneously straighten your legs up the wall.
5. Walk your hands back further behind you so you can release your torso onto the mat.
6. Option to stay as you are or option to scoot your seat closer toward the wall. Option to slide a blanket or pillow under your pelvis and/or head.
7. Relax your arms into any position that feels comfortable.
8. Soften your gaze or close your eyes and surrender the weight of your body to the wall and floor.
9. Slow the rhythm of your breath and surrender into this shape in stillness for about two to five minutes.

2. Dragonfly Pose (Upavista Konasana)

Continue your wall yin yoga sequence with this simple variation of Legs Up The Wall.

1. From Legs Up The Wall, simply release the weight of your legs open toward the sides of your mat so your legs release into a wide V shape.
2. Allow gravity to take over as you release the weight of your legs into its downward pull.
3. Option to place props beneath your thighs to help support their weight to find a more comfortable “edge.”
4. Relax your arms into any comfortable position.
5. Surrender into this shape in relative stillness for about two to five minutes.

3. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Another classic wall yoga shape, Wall Butterfly utilizes the wall to emulate a more relaxing variation of the seated Butterfly Pose.

1. From Wall Dragonfly, catch hold behind your knees and gently bend them.
2. Slide the soles of your feet together to touch and open your knees out wide toward the sides of your mat.
3. Option to place props beneath your thighs to support the weight of your legs into a more comfortable “edge.”
4. Relax your arms into any comfortable position.
5. Surrender into this shape in relative stillness for about two to five minutes.

4. Swan Pose (Supta Kapotasana)

Continue your wall yin yoga sequence with this classic yin yoga shape utilizing the wall to find comfort.

1. From Wall Butterfly, catch hold behind your knees and draw them toward each other to hug them in toward your chest.
2. Gently press your feet against the wall to slide your seat slightly further away from it.
3. Press your left foot into the wall with your knee bent at about a 90-degree angle.
4. Lift your right leg, bend your knee, and cross your right ankle over your left knee in a figure-4 shape.
5. Relax your arms into any comfortable position.
6. Soften into the shape in relative stillness for about two to five minutes before switching sides.

5. Twisting Pose (Jathara Parivartanasana) 

Round out your wall yin yoga sequence with this final classic wall yoga shape.

1. From Wall Swan Pose, bend both knees deeply and draw them into your chest to give yourself a big hug.
2. Keep your legs as they are and release your arms out into a T shape or a cactus shape with your elbows bent.
3. Soften the weight of your shoulders toward the floor.
4. Release both legs over toward your left to rest on a prop or the floor. Option to also place a prop between your legs for added comfort.
5. Soften into the shape in relative stillness for about two to five minutes before slowly releasing and switching sides.

Relax and Release With This Soothing Wall Sequence

Use the wall as a helpful prop in this relaxing sequence to support your weight and create extra comfort in these classic yin yoga shapes. Once you’ve finished, feel free to round out your practice with a long-held, relaxing Savasana.

Relax, release, and unwind with the simple power of wall yoga mixed with yin!