15-Minute Cozy Restorative Yoga Practice for Chilly Days

Grab your blanket and all your favorite props. This restorative yoga practice is about to make you feel the coziest you’ve ever been on your mat. This sort of reset is most welcome on the coldest and darkest days of the year, when energy is low and the need for self-care is high. You’ll settle into long, supported poses that melt away tension and bring warmth to your body as they relax your mind.

Gift yourself the short amount of time it takes to set yourself up for the coziest yoga practice that you’ve ever done.

15-Minute Restorative Yoga for Chilly Days

Props are essential here for both comfort and support. Have within reach a bolster or pillow, two blocks (or alternatives, such as books or small couch cushions), and a soft blanket.

Supported Wide-Angled Seated Forward Bend

Begin in a seated position. Draw your legs wide, just enough so that your feel a gentle tug within the back of your legs or inner thighs.

Set one block on its lowest level just in front of you and your second block on its highest level about six inches in front of that. Place a bolster or a couple stacked pillows lengthwise in front of you and place on top of the blocks, creating an angled, cushioned platform for you to rest against.

Allow yourself to be completely supported, either hugging your bolster or letting your arms drape along either side. Make any adjustments you need for extra comfort and drape your blanket over yourself if you prefer. Stay here for 2-3 minutes.

Supported Deer Pose

Slowly and gently push yourself up. Let your blanket roll off your shoulders. Come into Deer Pose, or 90/90, by bending your left about  90 degrees and and bringing your left hip against the bolster. Take your right hip behind you and bend that knee about 90 degrees as well. Bring your left foot against your right thigh.

Turn your chest to face the bolster and bring both hands alongside it. Drape your front body onto the bolster again in this slight twist. Stay here for 2-3 minutes.

Slowly make your way up and take your time as you either shift your props to the back of the mat or shift your position so your right hip is against the base of the bolster and you come into Deer Pose or 90/90 on the other side.

Windshield Wipers

Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Allow your knees to shift from side to side in Windshield Wipers or bring your legs straight out in front of you for a little wiggle.

Supported Savasana

Sit facing away from the bolster and lower yourself onto it in a supported Savasana. You can keep your legs straight or bring the bottoms of your feet together to create a diamond shape for Reclined Bound Angle. Stay here for 3-5 minutes—or all day, if need be.