Is it really that weird to do yoga in the bath tub? I mean, people do yoga naked already, while they’re practically naked floating on the water (SUP Yoga, anyone?), and lots of people practice yoga on the beach beside the ocean (See 5 Tips for Yoga on the Beach)… Why on earth is bathtub yoga not already a thing? Well, it’s time to use my massive influence as a blogger and yoga teacher (ha!) to do some good in this world. It’s official: I’m making bath time yoga a thing. This post is all about my favorite yoga poses for the bath.

Why Would You Even Want to Do Yoga in the Bath?

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a bath person. I love the whole experience of filling a tub with water, setting the mood with candles or fresh flowers on the side of the tub, picking out the perfect scent and a perfect relaxing play list… The bathtub is my happy place. It’s also a place where I can fit in all kinds of self-care in a short amount of time. I surround myself with beautiful lovely things that please all of my senses, and I soak it all in—literally!—for at least 20 minutes.

See also Soak It In: 4 Herbal Bath Recipes for Optimal Health

The only thing missing from my bath time is a good stretch.

So, when I only have a few minutes at the end of a day for my precious “me time,” I have to make a choice: Bath or yoga. Yoga or bath. How can you choose between two things you love so much—two things that are both healthy for body, mind, and soul? Lately, I’ve been choosing both … at the same time. Yup. It’s the only kind of multi-tasking I can fully encourage.

There are a number of yoga poses you can do WHILE you are immersed in water, and if you can reap the benefits of a relaxing soak AND yoga poses at the same time it saves you some time and, if you’re like me, your sanity, too.

See also 10 Things I Love about Restorative Yoga

My Favorite Yoga Poses for the Bath

First of all, get your bathroom environment ready for the ultimate self-care experience. Dim your lights. Light your candles. Diffuse an essential oil you love. Fill up your bathtub with water that’s juuuuuuust the right temperature. Get in your glorious tub, immerse yourself as fully as possible, and make yourself comfortable (prop your head up on the side of the tub so you can relax fully). Take a moment to really be present with what you’re doing—notice the warm water on your skin, the gentle movement of the water, the smells, and the sounds. How do you feel? Take a couple deep, mindful breaths. If you do nothing else, this counts as practicing yoga in your bathtub. (Congratulations! Now, you’re a weirdo, too. Embrace your weird.)

Moving on…

Seated Twist

Now, sit upright in the tub with your legs crossed. Inhale, lift your chest. Exhale, gently twist to your right. You could hold onto the right knee with your left hand if you’d like.. but why would you do that when you have the sides of the tub all around you to help you find more length and depth to your twist? After a few breaths, switch sides.

Also, Look at that growing belly! I made it to 20 weeks. Yay!

Seated Forward Folds (Janu Sirsasana and Paschimottonasana)

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m short. I can sit down with my legs stretched out and practice both Janu Sirsasana and Paschimottonasana without much problem. This is one of those times that having short legs is an advantage (there aren’t that many, so give me this one, will you?). If you happen to be of a more average height, or even tall (bless you!), you can try this with the legs bent slightly, but you’ll probably get a better hamstring stretch if you move on to the next pose.

Supta Padagusthasana

Unless you have a really huge bathtub you probably won’t be able to stretch out the bottom leg here, so lie down the best you can (with your head propped up on the side of the tub) and just leave the bottom leg bent at the knee and the foot on the floor. Then, grab your other big toe and slowly begin to straighten the knee as you stretch your foot toward the ceiling. Stay here for a few breaths, enjoying the stretch in your hamstring, then switch sides.

Reclining Hip Opener

Bend both knees and put your feet on the tub floor. Flex both feet and bring your right ankle the the outside of your left knee. Slowly bring both legs toward you. Clasp your hands behind the left thigh if you’d like. Hang out here for a few breaths, then switch sides.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)

Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall to the sides. You’ll probably notice that your knees hit the sides of the tub and won’t go down nearly as far as they would if you were on your yoga mat. That’s cool. Enjoy the extra support. Let your arms fall to the side, Savasana-style, or bring one hand to your belly and another to your chest so you can feel every inhale and exhale. Notice the tiny waves your breathing makes in the water.

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

If your legs are too long to stretch them out, bring them back into Supta Baddha Konasana, and let your knees rest on the sides of the tub. Close your eyes, and let your hands float at your sides, palms facing up, for the dreamiest Savasana you could ever imagine. If you only do one pose on this list, do Bathtub Savasana. Trust me on this one.

See also How to Modify Savasana for Pregnancy

NOTE: If you happen to be pregnant (like I am!) you won’t wont to lay flat on your back for an extended period of time. I was only on my back for a few seconds when I snapped these photos, promise! When you’re in the bathtub, your head and will likely be lifted a bit so you should be fine to relax and enjoy!

Have you ever tried to do a yoga practice in the bathtub? I can’t be the only one! Please tell me about your favorite poses for the bath in the comments section below!