Though you can argue that all yoga is self-care — you are, after all, tending to your body in ways you may not do during your busy day — I particularly like the types of flows specifically geared toward self-care. These, often, are slower in nature, incorporate massage and bits of meditation, and also might include affirmations from the instructors teaching them.
One of my favourites is this 10-minute self-care flow [1] from Yoga With Adriene [2] YouTuber and yoga teacher Adriene Mishler, which I've included ahead in the roundup of similar videos. It's gentle, tends to the upper body and hips, and gives you time to actually rub out knots in your neck and feet: two places that hold tension often. I'm extremely excited to bring you the following videos that I hope will, in turn, settle you into a sense of stillness and self-love that you may need most (even if you don't realise it). Scroll through, find one that suits you, and press play. It'll be worth it.
10-Minute Yoga For Self-Care From Yoga With Adriene
This is the video I spoke about previously. It's a 10-minute flow from Adriene Mishler that includes Child's Pose; segments where you massage your neck, shoulders, and feet; as well as Thread the Needle to work your upper back. It's a quick video that I really can't get enough of.
30-Minute Yin Yoga With Affirmations From Yoga With Kassandra
Kassandra, an Ottawa-based yoga instructor, brings us a half-hour Yin yoga session [4] full of poses held for minutes at a time. An example of the affirmations that Kassandra has us say is, "I love and accept myself exactly as I am." Another one goes, "The more love I give, the more I receive."
50-Minute Self-Love Yoga From Yoga With Adriene
Melt into self-love with another yoga practice from Adriene. It brings more heat than the other gentle flows we've featured here so far, but it starts and ends in Corpse Pose (on your back). You'll do lunge sequences, plenty of planks, and even Happy Baby. And she closes with some words on inner peace.
28-Minute Yoga For Self-Care From Beyoutifulliving
This heart-opening self-care yoga is taught by Anjana Duff (her channel is called "Beyoutifulliving"), and you'll need two blocks for the flow. It's just under 28 minutes and features Child's Pose, Downward Facing Dog [5], lunges, and stretches for the entire body. You'll end with about seven minutes of floor work on your back.
20-Minute Yoga For Self-Respect From Yoga With Adriene
Adriene is back with this 20-minute flow focussed on another form of self-care: respect. "We're at our best . . . when we feel like we're in alignment with who we truly are," Adriene says. You'll start in a seated position stretching the side body, chest, upper back, and neck. She sneaks some core work in throughout as well and guides you into poses that will tend to your hamstrings, hips, and more.
10-Minute Yoga For Self-Love and Self-Care From ChriskaYoga
Christina from ChriskaYoga guides us through this 10-minute easy-to-follow flow for self-love. It's done entirely on the floor in seated and supine positions, and it incorporates Butterfly Pose [6], a figure four hamstring stretch, and almost three minutes of Corpse pose!
45-Minute Hatha Yoga For Self-Care From Fightmaster Yoga
This 45-minute flow from Lesley Fightmaster will bring heat to the body and will have you standing and lying down. You'll even get into splits (if you can), and you'll experience a full-body stretch. (Note: Hatha yoga is a general category of yoga that most Western yoga flows fall under [7]. According to Verywell Fit, it incorporates breathing techniques, poses, and meditation to calm the body [8].) You'll end in Corpse pose, and Lesley will recite a quote from poet Walt Whitman.
Bonus: 12-Minute Meditation For Self-Love From Yoga With Adriene
If you're looking for meditation, this 12-minute guided session is definitely something you should try. Adriene talks you through the fact that you are worthy of love and deserve to reconnect with the love you have for yourself. She will have you breathe "like you love yourself," deeply and slowly. Plus, if you're interested, check out these yoga videos to melt away stress [9].
