House of AnandaMovement · Stillness · Wisdom · Journey

All 18 flows / Beginner · Flow 06

Release & Restore

A quiet, prop-supported sequence that reduces unnecessary effort and creates room for rest. The goal is comfort and attention, not a strong stretch.

“Rest is part of practice.”

Before you begin

A spoken companion to the original illustrated flow guide. Review the guide before starting. The 45-minute plan includes setup, repetitions and rest; narration and pauses may make it longer. This is not a recording of a teacher-led class. Movement cues are read in the original order. Pause for any transition you have not learned with a teacher.

Equipment: Mat, chair, folded blanket, two cushions or bolsters, two blocks.

Review status: Editorial adaptation awaiting qualified teacher review. No named reviewer or completed review is recorded. Our review and attribution approach →

The original 45-minute arc

Your route through the flow

Section lengths come from the original guide. Beginner movement-cue timings are editorial subdivisions, not prescribed holds. Pause or skip freely.

Release & Restore · section order, timing and movements
BlockPlanned timeMovement sequence
1. Settle5 min
  1. Constructive Rest
2. Mobilise10 min
  1. Pelvic Tilts
  2. Knees-to-Chest
  3. Windshield-Wiper Knees
  4. Cat-Cow
  5. Thread the Needle
  6. Child's Pose
3. Open10 min
  1. Low Lunge
  2. Supported Half Split
4. Support7 min
  1. Reclined Butterfly
5. Elevate8 min
  1. Legs on a Chair
  2. Reclined Twist
6. Rest5 min
  1. Savasana
Read the original movement cues and options
  1. Constructive Rest

    Lie on your back with knees bent, feet mat-width apart and arms relaxed. Let the knees rest toward one another.

    Option: Support the head with a thin folded blanket.

  2. Pelvic Tilts

    From Constructive Rest, exhale to gently tip the pelvis and soften the low back toward the mat; inhale to release.

    Option: Make the movement tiny; do not press or strain.

  3. Knees-to-Chest

    Draw one knee, then the other, toward the torso. Hold behind the thighs or over the shins and keep shoulders soft.

    Option: Hold one leg at a time if both feels compressed.

  4. Windshield-Wiper Knees

    With feet wider than hips, slowly lower both knees to one side, return through centre, then change sides.

    Option: Reduce the range and keep both shoulders heavy.

  5. Cat-Cow

    Begin on hands and knees. Inhale to broaden the chest and tip the sitting bones back; exhale to round gently.

    Option: Use fists, forearms or a chair if wrists are sensitive.

  6. Thread the Needle

    From Tabletop, slide one arm beneath the other and lower shoulder and head only as far as comfortable.

    Option: Keep the supporting hand down and avoid loading the neck.

  7. Child's Pose

    From hands and knees, ease hips toward heels and reach arms forward or rest them beside the body.

    Option: Place a cushion under the torso or stay in Tabletop.

  8. Low Lunge

    Step one foot forward between the hands and lower the back knee. Bring hands to blocks or front thigh and lift the chest.

    Option: Pad the back knee and shorten the stance.

  9. Supported Half Split

    From Low Lunge, shift hips back and lengthen the front leg without locking the knee. Keep hands on blocks.

    Option: Keep the front knee bent and spine long.

  10. Reclined Butterfly

    Lie back, bring soles of feet together and support each outer thigh with a cushion or block.

    Option: Keep feet farther from the pelvis or knees bent upright.

  11. Legs on a Chair

    Lie down and rest lower legs on a chair so hips and knees are comfortable. Let arms fall open and soften the jaw.

    Option: Use a sofa or bolster and adjust distance from the support.

  12. Reclined Twist

    From the back, lower bent knees to one side and keep both shoulders relaxed. Return through centre before changing sides.

    Option: Support the knees with cushions and reduce the range.

  13. Savasana

    Lie in any comfortable resting position. Allow the breath to be natural and let effort gradually release.

    Option: Lie on one side, bend the knees or sit supported in a chair.

← Full flow sequenceAll 18 flows

Original flow collection · Flow 6 of 18

Release & Restore

Editorial guidance · awaiting teacher review · about 45 minutes

A spoken companion to the original illustrated flow guide. Review the guide before starting. The 45-minute plan includes setup, repetitions and rest; narration and pauses may make it longer. This is not a recording of a teacher-led class. Movement cues are read in the original order. Pause for any transition you have not learned with a teacher.

Listen & follow

Spoken guidance for the full session

Synthetic device voice

Hear the opening, every movement, breath cues, adaptations and the closing. Quiet spaces give you time to practise and rest. Pictures advance with the spoken session.

Keep this page open and the screen unlocked. Hiding the page pauses the session. Resume repeats an interrupted sentence. Voice quality and availability depend on your device; some voices need an internet connection. Spoken cues use English names; Sanskrit remains on screen. Timing may extend so a cue is never cut short.

Read the complete spoken transcript

Before you begin

Welcome to Release & Restore. This is editorial guidance awaiting teacher review. Mat, chair, folded blanket, two cushions or bolsters, two blocks. A spoken companion to the original illustrated flow guide. Review the guide before starting. The 45-minute plan includes setup, repetitions and rest; narration and pauses may make it longer. This is not a recording of a teacher-led class. Movement cues are read in the original order. Pause for any transition you have not learned with a teacher. Choose only movements and transfers that are comfortable and familiar. Stop for pain, dizziness or feeling unwell. The session will move on automatically, with quiet spaces for practice and rest. Pause whenever you need more time. Timed blocks include setup, short repetitions, side changes and rest; they are not continuous holds. Keep breathing naturally. English movement names will be spoken. Sanskrit names remain on screen.

1. Settle

Practice block 1 of 6. Settle. Choose your comfortable starting position. Today’s intention: Rest is part of practice. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. The first movement cue follows. You can pause at any time.

Constructive Rest. Lie on your back with knees bent, feet mat-width apart and arms relaxed. Let the knees rest toward one another. Another option: Support the head with a thin folded blanket. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

Quiet practice and rest within a 5-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

2. Mobilise

Practice block 2 of 6. Mobilise. Finish the previous movement and pause in a comfortable neutral position. Use a familiar, unhurried transfer; pause the audio if you need longer. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. The first movement cue follows. You can pause at any time.

Pelvic Tilts. From Constructive Rest, exhale to gently tip the pelvis and soften the low back toward the mat; inhale to release. Another option: Make the movement tiny; do not press or strain. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 1:40 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Knees-to-Chest. Draw one knee, then the other, toward the torso. Hold behind the thighs or over the shins and keep shoulders soft. Another option: Hold one leg at a time if both feels compressed. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 3:20 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Windshield-Wiper Knees. With feet wider than hips, slowly lower both knees to one side, return through centre, then change sides. Another option: Reduce the range and keep both shoulders heavy. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 5:00 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Cat-Cow. Begin on hands and knees. Inhale to broaden the chest and tip the sitting bones back; exhale to round gently. Another option: Use fists, forearms or a chair if wrists are sensitive. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 6:40 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Thread the Needle. From Tabletop, slide one arm beneath the other and lower shoulder and head only as far as comfortable. Another option: Keep the supporting hand down and avoid loading the neck. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 8:20 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Child's Pose. From hands and knees, ease hips toward heels and reach arms forward or rest them beside the body. Another option: Place a cushion under the torso or stay in Tabletop. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

Quiet practice and rest within a 10-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

3. Open

Practice block 3 of 6. Open. Finish the previous movement and pause in a comfortable neutral position. Use a familiar, unhurried transfer; pause the audio if you need longer. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. The first movement cue follows. You can pause at any time.

Low Lunge. Step one foot forward between the hands and lower the back knee. Bring hands to blocks or front thigh and lift the chest. Another option: Pad the back knee and shorten the stance. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 5:00 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Supported Half Split. From Low Lunge, shift hips back and lengthen the front leg without locking the knee. Keep hands on blocks. Another option: Keep the front knee bent and spine long. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

Quiet practice and rest within a 10-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

4. Support

Practice block 4 of 6. Support. Finish the previous movement and pause in a comfortable neutral position. Use a familiar, unhurried transfer; pause the audio if you need longer. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. The first movement cue follows. You can pause at any time.

Reclined Butterfly. Lie back, bring soles of feet together and support each outer thigh with a cushion or block. Another option: Keep feet farther from the pelvis or knees bent upright. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

Quiet practice and rest within a 7-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

5. Elevate

Practice block 5 of 6. Elevate. Finish the previous movement and pause in a comfortable neutral position. Use a familiar, unhurried transfer; pause the audio if you need longer. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. The first movement cue follows. You can pause at any time.

Legs on a Chair. Lie down and rest lower legs on a chair so hips and knees are comfortable. Let arms fall open and soften the jaw. Another option: Use a sofa or bolster and adjust distance from the support. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

After about 4:00 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Reclined Twist. From the back, lower bent knees to one side and keep both shoulders relaxed. Return through centre before changing sides. Another option: Support the knees with cushions and reduce the range. Practise both sides, returning through neutral and resting between them. Use only a few comfortable breaths or repetitions, then rest. Do not keep holding until the next cue.

Quiet practice and rest within a 8-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

6. Rest

Practice block 6 of 6. Rest. Finish the previous movement and pause in a comfortable neutral position. Use a familiar, unhurried transfer; pause the audio if you need longer. Breath cue. Keep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need. Settle into a comfortable supported rest. There is no need to hold a special shape. Rest is part of practice. Another option. Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position. Use the quiet space for familiar practice or rest. You do not need to keep holding a position until the next cue.

After about 4:00 in this block, once earlier guidance has finished:

Take your time to finish this rest. When ready, move fingers and toes if comfortable. Roll to a side, pause and use your hands to sit up slowly, or stay supported where you are.

Quiet practice and rest within a 5-minute block. Follow the short stays described, not a continuous hold.

Closing the session

This session is complete. Remain comfortably supported for a moment and let your breathing settle. There is no need to stand up quickly. Notice the room around you. You can record your practice in My Ananda, or simply finish here. Return to a familiar session whenever it suits you.

Practice block 1 of 65 min suggested block

Sequence in this block

  1. Constructive Rest

Open this section in the original illustrated PDF ↗
A sequence map, not a diagram of anatomical alignment.

Your movement

Settle

BreathKeep breathing naturally, without retention or strain. Let movement slow down or stop whenever you need.

To begin: Choose your comfortable starting position. Today’s intention: Rest is part of practice.

The movement cues for this block are spoken in order. Use short, comfortable efforts with neutral rest between them. Follow the written guide at your own pace when audio is off.

Another option: Pause, skip this block or rest in a comfortable supported seat or lying position.

Follow at your own pace, with as many extra breaths and pauses as you need. You choose when to move on.

Next: Mobilise

Equipment, scope & review status

Mat, chair, folded blanket, two cushions or bolsters, two blocks.

A spoken companion to the original illustrated flow guide. Review the guide before starting. The 45-minute plan includes setup, repetitions and rest; narration and pauses may make it longer. This is not a recording of a teacher-led class. Movement cues are read in the original order. Pause for any transition you have not learned with a teacher.

Stop for pain, dizziness or feeling unwell. This general practice is not an individual clinical plan.

Read the review status and context. The timer pauses when the page is hidden. Moving to another stage resets it; start it again when ready.

Keep your companions close

Guide, music & video

The original illustrated guide and Spotify playlist are unchanged. Music is separate from the spoken narration. Set up music first, then return to this page to start the voice.

Explore yoga-style guided sessions, including Haṭha and Slow Flow →