Yin Yoga Practice for Heartbreak

A yin yoga practice can be a balm—especially when your heart feels heavy. Or broken.

This soothing yin practice offers a gentle space to feel, release, and ease the emotional upheaval that comes with heartbreak. As you settle into stillness, you’ll relinquish some of the weight of what you’ve been carrying and create room to breathe, process, and begin to heal. By the end of this yin yoga class, you’ll feel a little more at peace with where you’re at on your heartbreak journey.

Making it to your mat, even when it’s difficult, is an extraordinary act of self-love.

13-Minute Yin Yoga for Heartbreak

Make sure you have an extra-squishy pillow and two blocks (or block-like props, such as firm pillows or small stacks of books) close by for this more supported approach to yin yoga.

Child’s Pose

Begin in Child’s Pose. Bring your big toes together to touch and draw your knees wide toward the edges of your mat. Ease your sit bones back toward your heels and place your pillow lengthwise between your knees. Instead of bringing your arms out long in front of you, lean forward over your pillow and give it a good hug. Release any tension in your shoulders and stay here for 3 minutes.

Cow Pose

Reach your arms in front of you, press into your palms, and bring yourself up into Tabletop. Inhale, arch your back, lower your belly, and lift your chin in Cow Pose.

Cat Pose

Exhale, rounding your back and tucking your chin in Cat Pose. Gently and smoothly repeat these shapes for a few more sets, moving with the rhythm of your breath.

Sphinx Pose

Shift your pillow forward to support your chest and stomach. Extend your legs straight behind you, taking them a little wider if that’s more comfortable. Lower your body onto the pillow and bring your forearms and palms flat on your mat in a supported Sphinx Pose. Grab a block and position it at its highest level, angling it toward you and resting the weight of your forehead against it. Gently rock your hips from side to side. Stay here for 3 minutes.

Windshield Wipers

When you’re ready, remove your block and pillow and set each aside. Stack your hands to make a pillow for your forehead, bringing your elbows wide and resting yourself on your mat. Softly kick your heels toward your bum and windshield wiper your shins from side to side.

Move slowly and be easy on yourself, repeating as many times as needed.

Butterfly Pose With Forward Bend

Re-extend your legs long and bring your hands under your shoulders. Press yourself up to hands and knees. Swing your legs to one side and come to a seated position. Bring the soles of your feet together and draw your feet into a diamond-like position in Butterfly Pose. For extra support, bring your blocks beneath your knees or thighs. Bring your pillow in front of you, inhale, and sit tall before exhaling and folding your upper body over your pillow. Stay here for 3 minutes.

Meditation Pose

Gently unfurl and return to an upright position. Adjust to a cross-legged position, adding a block or pillow under your sit bones for extra support. Layer your hands over your heart. Close your eyes or keep your gaze soft and notice your heartbeat beneath your palms. Stay here for 3 minutes.

Closing Pose

Draw your hands together at heart center. Bow your head so your third eye meets your fingertips and thank yourself for showing up on your mat today.