Yoga blocks are versatile props designed to support and enhance your yoga practice. They are particularly beneficial for beginners and those with limited mobility but can be utilized by yogis of all levels to deepen poses, improve alignment, and create a more mindful practice.
The Benefits of Using a Yoga Block
Yoga blocks are for everyone, not just beginners or those who find certain poses challenging. These blocks can help you ease into poses and maintain balance, making your practice safer and more effective. For beginners, a yoga block can provide the extra support needed to hold a pose correctly, allowing the body to become accustomed to the stretching and strength required in yoga. If you’re someone who feels “stretched” during a session and wants to feel more “stretched for flexible,” a yoga block can be the tool that helps you progress safely and efficiently.
For individuals with limited movement, a yoga block can be a game-changer. It acts as an extension of your limbs, allowing you to reach the floor in poses like Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) or to find stability in balancing poses like Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose). It encourages you to practice yoga poses without straining your body, making it an essential tool for a more inclusive practice.
Types and Sizes of Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks come in various materials, sizes, and firmness levels. The most common materials are foam, cork, and wood, each offering different benefits:
- Foam Blocks: Lightweight and soft, foam blocks are perfect for beginners and those who prefer a gentle touch. They are also easier to grip, making them ideal for poses where your hands sweat.
- Cork Blocks: These are slightly heavier and firmer than foam blocks. Cork provides more stability and support, making it an excellent choice for standing poses or when you need extra grounding.
- Wood Blocks: The heaviest and most solid of the three, wood blocks are incredibly durable and provide the most support. They are less forgiving, so they might be better suited for more experienced yogis.
Sizes vary, with the most common dimensions being 9”x6”x4”. However, some blocks come in thinner (3”) or thicker (5”) sizes, depending on your needs. A larger block is more versatile for different poses, while a smaller block may be easier to handle and store.
Now What?
Now you know what yoga blocks are used for, but how can you incorporate them into your routine? Here are some descriptions of yoga poses using yoga blocks to help you understand how to use them correctly.
Relaxing Poses With Yoga Blocks
1. Supported Child’s Pose (Balasana)
- How to Do It: Place a yoga block between your legs under your forehead to reduce strain on the neck and shoulders.
- Benefits: This pose helps to gently stretch the back while offering a restful pause in your practice.
2. Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
- How to Do It: Place two blocks under your knees for support, allowing your hips to open gently without straining.
- Benefits: This pose promotes deep relaxation and is excellent for relieving stress and tension.
3. Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani)
- How to Do It: Position a block under your lower back to elevate your hips slightly.
- Benefits: This pose improves circulation and is wonderfully restorative, helping to calm the nervous system.
Yoga Poses for Strength and Fitness Using Yoga Blocks
1. Block Plank
- How to Do It: Place your hands on two blocks set at their highest height. Engage your core and hold the plank position.
- Benefits: This variation increases the intensity of the plank, working the core, shoulders, and arms more deeply.
2. Supported Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)
- How to Do It: Use a block under each hand to support your balance as you extend one leg behind you, coming into Warrior III.
- Benefits: This pose builds strength in the standing leg while the blocks help you maintain proper alignment and balance.
3. Block Squats
- How to Do It: Hold a block between your thighs to engage your inner thighs as you perform a squat.
- Benefits: This modification intensifies the squat, targeting the inner thighs and glutes more effectively.
Final Thoughts
Yoga blocks are more than just tools for beginners; they are valuable props that can enhance any yoga practice. Whether you are easing into a pose or looking to increase the challenge, a yoga block can provide the support and stability you need to progress safely. As you incorporate yoga blocks into your routine, you’ll find yourself feeling more “stretched for flexible,” stronger, and more confident in your yoga poses.
Embrace the use of yoga blocks in your practice and discover how they can help you refine your technique, enhance your flexibility, and deepen your yoga experience.
