Yoga is better when shared! Partner yoga brings a whole new dimension to your practice by adding connection, trust, and sometimes a good laugh. Whether you’re looking to deepen your bond or just try something new together, couples yoga offers benefits beyond what you can achieve alone.
Ready to roll out two mats and get started? This collection of 18 couples yoga poses ranges from super simple to impressively advanced, so you’ll find options no matter your experience level. Each pose includes clear instructions to help you and your partner flow safely and confidently together.
Easy Couples Yoga Poses
1. Back-to-Back Chair Pose
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: This pose builds leg strength while creating a connection through your backs. It’s perfect for beginners as it requires minimal flexibility and helps develop trust.
How to Do It:
- Stand back-to-back with your partner
- Walk your feet about 12 inches away from each other
- Bend your knees and lower into a sitting position, using each other for support
- Press your backs together firmly and hold for 5-10 breaths
2. Partner Forward Fold
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: A gentle stretch for the hamstrings and lower back that allows partners to support each other’s flexibility.
How to Do It:
- Sit facing each other with legs extended and feet touching
- Hold each other’s forearms or wrists
- One partner folds forward while the other gently leans back
- Hold for 5 breaths, then switch roles
3. Seated Spinal Twist
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: This gentle twist helps improve spinal mobility and digestion while creating a nice connection point between partners.
How to Do It:
- Sit back-to-back with legs crossed
- Both partners twist to the right, placing your right hand on your partner’s left knee
- Place your left hand on your right knee
- Hold for 5 breaths, then switch sides
4. Partner Breathing
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: While not a pose in the traditional sense, synchronized breathing creates powerful connection and can be done before starting your practice.
How to Do It:
- Sit cross-legged facing each other, knees touching
- Place your hands on each other’s knees or hold hands
- Close your eyes and synchronize your breathing
- Continue for 1-2 minutes, focusing on the shared rhythm
5. Double Downward Dog
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: A fun variation of the classic pose that creates a tunnel shape between partners and provides a gentle inversion.
How to Do It:
- One partner gets into downward dog position
- The second partner stands facing the first partner’s legs
- Second partner places hands on the ground and steps feet back into downward dog
- Adjust positioning so you’re both comfortable, and hold for 5 breaths
Moderate Couples Yoga Poses
6. Temple Pose
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Description: This standing pose builds leg strength while creating a beautiful arch between partners. It promotes balance and coordination.
How to Do It:
- Stand facing each other about 2 feet apart
- Step your feet wide apart and turn toes slightly outward
- Bend knees into a squat position
- Reach forward and press palms together with your partner
- Hold for 5-8 breaths, focusing on keeping your balance together
7. Partner Boat Pose
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Description: This core-strengthening pose helps build abdominal muscles while creating a fun balancing challenge between partners.
How to Do It:
- Sit facing each other with knees bent and feet flat on the floor
- Hold each other’s wrists or hands
- Lift feet off the floor and press the soles of your feet against your partner’s
- Straighten legs if possible, creating a V-shape between you
- Hold for 5 breaths, focusing on keeping your spine straight
8. Standing Forward Bend with Back Stretch
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Description: This pose combines a forward fold for one partner with a supported back bend for the other, creating complementary stretches.
How to Do It:
- Stand back-to-back, about a foot apart
- One partner folds forward with a flat back
- The other partner leans back, resting their back on their partner’s
- The standing partner can reach arms overhead for a deeper stretch
- Hold for 5 breaths, then switch positions
9. Partner Camel Pose
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Description: This heart-opening pose stretches the front body while building trust between partners.
How to Do It:
- Kneel facing each other, knees hip-width apart
- Hold each other’s forearms
- Lean back one at a time, creating a gentle backbend
- Once stable, both partners can lean back simultaneously
- Hold for 3-5 breaths, focusing on opening the chest
10. Seated Partner Fold
Difficulty Level: Easy
Description: This gentle forward fold uses your partner’s weight to deepen the stretch comfortably.
How to Do It:
- Sit facing each other with legs wide
- Hold each other’s forearms
- One partner folds forward while the other leans back
- Hold for 5 breaths
- Switch directions and repeat
Intermediate Couples Yoga Poses
11. Double Tree Pose
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Description: This balancing pose builds focus and stability while creating a beautiful shape between partners.
How to Do It:
- Stand side by side, with your inside shoulders touching
- Both partners shift weight to their outside leg
- Place the sole of your inside foot against your inner thigh or calf (never on the knee)
- Once balanced, reach your outside arm up and connect inside hands
- Hold for 5 breaths, focusing on growing tall together
12. Partner Warrior III
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Description: This balancing pose strengthens the legs and core while requiring partners to work together for stability.
How to Do It:
- Stand facing each other about arm’s length apart
- Grasp each other’s wrists or forearms
- Lean forward, shifting weight to one leg
- Extend the other leg behind you, creating a straight line from head to toe
- Hold for 3-5 breaths, then switch legs
13. Flying Bow Pose
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Description: This pose combines strength and flexibility, with one partner supporting the other in a backbend.
How to Do It:
- One partner lies on their back with knees bent, feet flat on the floor
- The second partner stands at their head, facing the same direction
- The lying partner grabs their ankles or calves
- The standing partner bends forward, grasping the lying partner’s shoulders
- The lying partner straightens their legs, lifting the standing partner
- Hold for 3-5 breaths, then carefully release and switch roles
14. Partner Seated Forward Fold
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Description: This hamstring stretch uses your partner’s weight to deepen the fold safely.
How to Do It:
- One partner sits with legs extended
- The second partner stands behind them
- The seated partner folds forward from the hips
- The standing partner gently presses on their upper back
- Hold for 5-8 breaths, then switch positions
15. Double Plank
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Description: This core-strengthening pose requires both strength and trust between partners.
How to Do It:
- One partner gets into a plank position
- The second partner places their feet on the first partner’s shoulders
- The second partner walks their hands forward until in a plank position
- Both partners engage their core and hold for 3-5 breaths
- Carefully release and switch positions
Advanced Couples Yoga Poses
16. Flying Superman
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Description: This acrobatic pose builds core strength and balance while creating a dramatic flying position.
How to Do It:
- One partner lies on their back with knees bent to chest
- The second partner stands facing them, placing their hips against the lying partner’s feet
- The lying partner straightens their legs while the standing partner leans forward
- The standing partner extends arms forward like Superman
- Hold for 3 breaths, then carefully release
17. Partner Wheel Pose
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Description: This deep backbend opens the entire front body with partner support.
How to Do It:
- Both partners lie on backs with heads toward each other
- Bend knees with feet flat on floor
- Press into wheel pose
- Reach overhead to grasp partner’s ankles
- Hold for 3 breaths, then carefully release
18. Throne Pose
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Description: This balance pose creates a seated position on your partner’s thighs, requiring strength and trust.
How to Do It:
- One partner stands in chair pose with feet wide
- The second partner stands on their thighs, facing away
- The standing partner holds the second partner’s hips for stability
- The top partner can extend arms overhead
- Hold for 3 breaths, then carefully step down
What Are the Benefits of Couples Yoga Poses?
Builds Trust and Communication
Couples yoga poses require clear communication and mutual trust to move safely and effectively. As you guide each other through the poses, you learn to express your needs and listen to your partner’s signals. This process strengthens your ability to work as a team, deepening trust both on and off the mat.
Deepens Your Connection
Physical touch, synchronized breathing, and shared focus in couples yoga poses create a special bond that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Many couples notice a deeper emotional connection after practicing together regularly. The mindful presence required in partner yoga opens pathways to intimacy and understanding.
Improves Individual Practice
Practicing couples yoga poses can help you achieve stretches and alignments that are difficult alone. Your partner provides support, balance, and gentle resistance, allowing you to explore new ranges of motion safely. This shared practice can accelerate your individual progress and make yoga more enjoyable.
Creates Fun Shared Memories
Couples yoga poses often involve teamwork, balance challenges, and playful interactions. It’s common to stumble or laugh together, creating lighthearted moments that become cherished memories. These experiences foster joy and resilience in your relationship by bringing fun into your wellness routine.
Reduces Stress Together
Yoga’s well-known stress-relief benefits multiply when shared with your partner through couples yoga poses. Practicing mindful breathing and movement side-by-side encourages relaxation and calm for both of you. Entering this peaceful state together can ease relationship tension and build emotional harmony.
How to Prepare for Couples Yoga Poses
Before jumping into partner yoga, take a few minutes to prepare properly.
- Start by creating a comfortable space with enough room for two mats side by side. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing that won’t restrict your movement or ride up during inversions.
- Communication is key in partner yoga. Before beginning, discuss any injuries, limitations, or concerns with your partner. Establish a signal word like “ease” or “gentle” that either of you can use if a pose becomes too intense.
- Begin with a short warm-up individually – try a few sun salutations or gentle stretches to prepare your body. This helps prevent injury and makes the partner poses more accessible.
- Start with easier poses before attempting more challenging ones. This builds confidence and helps you understand how to work together effectively. Remember that partner yoga isn’t about perfect poses – it’s about the connection you create through movement.
- If you’re looking for more guided instruction, many online platforms offer couples yoga classes you can follow along with at home. Perspire.tv has yoga sessions that can help you get started with proper form and sequencing.
- Most importantly, approach your practice with a playful attitude. You’ll wobble, you might fall, and that’s completely normal. The joy of partner yoga comes from the journey you take together, not from achieving picture-perfect poses.
Try These Couples Yoga Poses Now
Partner yoga isn’t just about striking impressive poses – it’s about creating moments of connection, trust, and joy with someone you care about. Whether you’re fitness enthusiasts or complete beginners, these 18 couples yoga poses offer something for every level and relationship. The physical benefits of increased flexibility and strength are wonderful, but the emotional benefits of working together, supporting each other, and sharing laughter may be even more valuable.