23 Couples Yoga Poses To Try Together

If you’re looking for a unique way to connect with your partner, while also getting in some exercise, it’s time to try out some couples yoga poses!

While gym dates are fun, acro yoga allows both partners to boost their emotional connection, practice mindfulness and build trust. This blend of physical activity and shared experience is suitable for complete beginners, as you can lean on your partner for support every step of the way. 

The best yoga date isn’t about achieving the perfect pose, but about helping each other find balance and synchrony on and off the mat.

Easy yoga poses for couples 

1. Partner breathing 

This is the perfect place to start with couples yoga! 

Begin by synchronizing your breath. Sit back to back, close your eyes, and focus on each other’s breathing patterns. 

This isn’t something to be rushed — take your time and get into the right headspace. 

2. Doubletree pose 

Stand side-by-side with your partner, with the inside of your arms wrapped around your partner’s waist. Try balancing on one foot while your other foot rests on your inner thigh. 

Communicate with your partner when you have your balance locked in, then pass your arm in front of your body and press your hand into your partner’s palm. Try to keep your positions for five to ten breaths, repeat the exercise, and then switch sides. 

3. Partner forward fold

This pose is a great pose to add to any yoga routine as it helps to improve posture, extend the spine, and stretch tight hamstrings. It’s also an excellent pose for relieving stress and calming the mind. 

Start in the standing position, facing each other and holding hands, and bend forward while maintaining your grip. Extra points for eye contact!

4. Seated twist

This yoga move offers relief to anyone who is sitting working at their desk all day, whether in the office or working from home. If this is your primary position for most of the day, it’s likely you and your partner may be suffering from lower back pain and bad posture. 

With regular practice, a simple seated spinal twist with your partner can help you to alleviate these symptoms.

To complete this pose, sit back-to-back, inhale deeply, and twist your bodies in opposite directions. It sounds simple but is great for spinal detoxification. 

Image source: brainygains.com

5. Partner’s child pose

Classic child pose in yoga is known for its calming, grounding, and relaxing effects — normally used as the neutral or resting pose in most yogis' practice. 

There are some different variations of this pose for partners, depending on what you want to achieve from the pose. Either you can do this pose in unison, to gain the benefits as a couple, or one partner can massage the other while they are in this pose. 

Flip a coin to see who decides! 

Intermediate yoga poses for couples 

6. Seated wide-legged forward fold 

This restorative, calming pose stretches the hamstrings and the lower back. When adapted for couples yoga, it helps to foster connection and mutual support between partners. 

Both partners sit facing each other, with legs spread wide apart — the soles of your feet should be touching each other’s. Take a deep breath, and while exhaling, both partners should lean forward from the hips towards each other, reaching towards each other’s hands or forearms. (Listen to your partner here, only go as far as feels comfortable!) 

With every exhale, try to deepen the stretch while maintaining a straight back. Hold the pose for as long as it’s comfortable. 

7. Partner boat pose 

This pose helps to encourage teamwork and synchronization, while also building core strength and promoting balance. 

To start, both partners face each other, with knees bent, with a comfortable distance between them. Reach out and hold your partner’s hands, keeping your arms straight, leaning back slightly, and lifting your feet off the ground. 

When you’re ready, extend your legs straight, pressing the soles of your feet against your partner’s. If you can’t extend fully, you can work towards this over time! 

8. Back-to-back chair pose

This partner yoga pose is great for communication, relying on trust in order to fully support each other. 

Sit back-to-back with your partner, bend your knees, and lean on each other — creating a chair-like structure. If done correctly, this pose strengthens your thighs and spine. 

While the chair pose itself is simple, the challenge lies in maintaining a steady pose, with your partner being the key to your success! 

9. Twin tree pose

This pose helps to enhance your physical balance and mental focus, while also encouraging teamwork, synchronization, and a sense of mutual support and connection. 

To start, stand side by side, with each partner placing their right good firmly planted on the ground, and your inner arms touching. Bend your left knee and place the sole of your left foot on your inner right thigh, as your partner does the same — forming twin trees! 

Reach for each other’s hand that it is free and raise it towards the sky. Stay in the pose for a few breaths, keeping your eyes focused on one point to maintain balance. 

10. Partner triangle pose 

This pose works on stretching the sides of the waist, opening the lungs, and improving overall balance. From a relationship perspective, it helps to foster synchronization, trust, and mutual support. 

For the starting pose, both partners stand side by side, about three to four feet apart. Make sure the foot of your outer leg and your partner’s outer leg are parallel to each other, while the foot of your inner leg points toward your partner. 

Extend your arms to the sides at shoulder height and bend your hip joint towards your partner, moving your upper body to be parallel to the ground. Rest your downward hand on your shin and extend your other arm upwards, following your partner’s similar motion.

As you and your partner bend towards each other, your bodies should form mirrored triangle shapes. Ta-dah, you’ve done it! 

11. Double upward dog 

This pose is adapted from the traditional upward-facing dog adapted for couples' yoga! This version of the pose provides an even deeper backbend and stretch, thanks to the support of your partner. 

For your starting position, one partner lies flat on their stomach with their partner standing over them, positioning their feet on either side of their partner’s hips. The partner on the floor places their hands beside their chest, then they push off the floor while straightening their arms and lifting their torso and thighs off the ground. 

During this, the other partner carefully lowers themselves placing their hands on the floor near their partner’s hands. Then the standing partner gently steps their feet onto the lower back of the partner on the floor. With patience and control, the standing partner shifts weight onto their hands, lifting their legs off the floor while being supported by their partner. 

12. Double pigeon pose

This pose is perfect for stretching your hips and thighs, while also encouraging mutual support and trust. 

To start, begin in the seated position facing each other, with a comfortable distance between you both. Then each partner should bend their knees, placing the left ankle on top of the right knee, and the left knee on top of the right ankle (think of the double pigeon!) 

Reach out and hold each other's hands, maintaining a straight spine, with both partners gently leaning forward from the hips towards each other. 

13. Partner-supported lunge 

When this pose is adapted for pairs, it helps to foster trust and communication between partners while also stretching the hips and the legs. 

To start, one partner begins by starting upright, while the other partner stands a few feet behind them. The first partner steps one foot forward into a lunge position, bending the front knee to 90 degrees while keeping the back leg straight. Then, the second partner stands behind the first, placing their hands on the first partner’s hips or lower back for stability. 

Both partners hold the pose for a few breaths as long as it feels comfortable, checking in with your loved one throughout. 

14. Double king pigeon pose

This advanced pose promotes heart-opening and emotional bonding between partners, providing a great stretch for your hips, thighs, and abdominal muscles. However, due to the complexity of the pose, both partners should be comfortable with the individual king pigeon pose before attempting this version. 

To start, both partners should sit on the floor (or yoga mat) facing each other, legs extending forward. One partner bends their right knee and places the right ankle near the left hip, while the left leg remains extended — with the other partner mirroring this movement. Each partner reaches back with their right hand, bending at the elbow and then they hold hands, creating a heart-opening backbend. 

15. Double fish pose 

This restorative pose opens up the chest, throat, and front of the legs — relieving stress and promoting relaxation. 

To start, both partners sit on the floor with their legs extended forward, hip to hip, or back to back depending on their body strength and flexibility. Both partners bend their knees and slide their feet towards their buttocks, the soles of the feet on the floor. Leaning on their elbows and forearms, both partners lower their backs to the ground, allowing the crown of their heads to rest on the floor if comfortable. 

To add an additional connection to the yoga session, partners may hold hands. 

16. Double extended side angle pose 

This pose allows for a deeper side stretch and enhanced balance with the support of a partner, stretching the legs, waist, and shoulders. 

Stand back to back with your partner, hip-width apart. Then, both partners step their right leg out to the side, turning the right foot to face forward and the left foot slightly inwards. Both partners then bend their right knee until the thigh is parallel to the floor, then each partner extends their right arm over their right leg, reaching towards their partner’s extended hand. 

Then the left arm reaches upwards, fingers pointing to the sky — then hold as long as possible. 

17. Partner wheel pose 

This pose, also known as the Partner Upward Bow, is a beautiful and challenging yoga position. This requires a high level of trust, communication, and a certain degree of physical fitness and flexibility, as it’s one of the more advanced backbends. 

Start with both partners lying flat on their backs, with heads towards each other and feet apart. Bend your knees, place your palms on the floor beside your head, and fingers pointing towards your shoulders. On a shared inhale, both partners lift their hips off the ground, coming onto the crown of their heads. 

Try and hold the pose for a few breaths, listening to you and your partner’s limits. If you’re unsure about the dynamics of this pose, make sure to ask a yoga teacher!

18. Partner crow pose 

This pose requires a high degree of trust, strength, and balance. While one partner does the crow pose, while the other repeats the movement on their back! Since this is quite challenging, it should only be attempted if both partners are comfortable and may benefit from the help of a yoga instructor. 

Firstly, one partner gets into a solid crow pose by squatting down, placing hands flat on the ground, lifting the hips, and placing the knees on the backs of the upper arms. Then they lean forward, lifting their feet off the ground to balance on their hands. 

Once they are stable, the second partner carefully places their knees on the first partner’s back and leans forward, lifting their feet off the ground to achieve their own crow pose. 

Make sure you dismount carefully! 

19. Double downward dog 

This pose is a variation on the downward-facing dog, stretching and strengthening various parts of the body. It involves one partner performing the traditional downward dog to form a kind of tabletop, while the other performs the same on top of them. 

It can foster a deep level of trust and teamwork, as this advanced pose requires a good amount of strength, flexibility, and balance from both partners. 

20. Double plank 

Similar to the double downward dog, the double plank also involves one partner performing the traditional plank with the other partner performing it on top of them. 

The double plank strengthens the arms, shoulders, and core muscles, enhancing balance and focus. Since this is an advanced pose, it’s safest to do this under the supervision of a yoga instructor or in a yoga class. 

21. Partner-supported headstand 

If you’re struggling with the headstand in yoga, it’s great to get your partner’s help!

In this pose, one partner acts as the base, providing support and stability, while the other partner performs the headstand. 

22. Partner-supported shoulder stand 

Similar to the headstand, this pose relies on your partner to add extra support and stability. This shoulder stand improves balance, and flexibility while also stimulating the thyroid gland. 

If you’re not comfortable doing the headstand or shoulder stand, you could also start with a handstand! 

23. Partner wheelbarrow pose

This is a fun yet challenging pose, where one partner acts as the wheelbarrow while the other holds their legs. 

Even though it’s straightforward, it should be approached with caution — you don’t want to drop your partner! As the standing partner lifts the partner’s legs, while the other partner engages their core and maintains a plank-like position.