When the first time I learned that a yoga block helps to bring the ground up, I said what a point! But only after using them, I realized the essence. That is why I decided to make a complete tutorial on how to use yoga blocks in your yoga practice to make it more staple and help alleviate your back pain, anxiety, and Improve posture.
Also the comparison of three kinds of them i.e. foam block, cork Blocks, and wooden blocks. At last a complete guide to buying yoga blocks for yourself is also there. Plus, You also have a video class with me and blocks 😊 so keep reading, please.
Butt… Why Use Props…
Yoga is a complete body and mind workout. And when it comes to the uses of props- it requires none, ideally. On contrary to other forms of exercise, yoga poses weigh on the bodyweight to engage your major muscles. However, when yoga beginners start a yoga class, they find it quite hard to get into most of the poses because of the limited flexibility, back, and joint pain. This is true for the youngsters and veterans both sort of aspiring yogis.
Thanks to BKS Iyenger for his yoga innovations and making science of Yoga so popular in most parts of the world, especially western countries. Due to his distinguished style and addition of yoga props, the focus of yoga culture shifted towards commoners than the saints and renowned yogis.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Your purchases help me to run this website, since I may earn a small commission without costing you anything extra. Thanks for being a compassionate yogi:)
Most Common Yoga Props
The most common and popular props which are used with grace and ease are blocks, wheels, yoga balls, and yoga mats. Each of the above props can help enormously by making your practice more enjoyable, refreshing, and fulfilling.
Read: 10 Best Yoga Mats To Take Your Yoga Practice to Next Level
Yoga Blocks- Most Versatile and Fun Prop
One block and three variations! Yes, this cuboid gives you plenty of adjustable height options. If you are worried because you don’t know how to use yoga blocks, a step by step video is also there.
Yoga Blocks add stability and length to your postures. Deepen your stretches and poses. A block is often used as an extension of the arms, but can also support the back, head, and hips to help the body settle deep into a pose.
What Kind of Block You should buy?
Foam, wooden, or cork? All is yours- choice and money. Let me compare them to you in short. Then my best buying recommendations are also there, so keep reading.
Foam Yoga Blocks
Most common of all, foam block is the most obvious and popular choice because of their usability.
Pros Of Foam Yoga Blocks
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy handling and maintenance
- Squishy and soft on your body and pocket both
Cons Of Foam Yoga Blocks
- Less durable as compared to their wooden and cork counterparts.
- Less eco-friendly if not made of recycled material.
Wooden Yoga Blocks
You are a yogi and you are in love with nature. If you are also among the people who love smells of wood and earth to embrace the divinity, wooden blocks are for you. They are also the earliest inventions in the yoga block category.
Modern Wooden yoga blocks are made of recycled bamboo or pine flakes. Hence are 100% eco-friendly.
Pros Of Wooden Yoga Blocks
- Extremely durable and sturdy
- Investment for the whole life
- Good for Balancing and strength training
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Aesthetic appeal
Cons Of Wooden Yoga Blocks
- Wood Hardness may not be a suitable choice when it comes to a restorative yoga practice.
- Hard on spine, not suitable for back or neck bends.
- May get slippery when combined with sweat.
- Hard to grip
- Expensive and not easy to stack.
Cork Yoga Blocks
Cork is a natural and inexpensive alternative to wood. It posses all the good qualities of a wooden block plus affordable and easy to use. Natural cork surface provides excellent grip and also provides a firm, comfortable seat for meditation.
Pros Of Cork Yoga Blocks
- Rough and flaky texture makes it most suitable to grip and stack.
- Handy and portable
- Eco-friendly
- Cheaper than the wood
Cons Of Cork Yoga Blocks
- Due to pores in cork, sweat and dirt easily sweep inside the block causing a hygiene issue.
- Not a good choice to be used in common places like yoga studios
- May start chipping from the edges after long term use.
- Expensive when compared with the foam yoga blocks.
- Cleaning and maintenance is not easy.
Read: Yoga Poses With Yoga wheels| What is this most versatile Yoga Prop
How To Use Yoga Blocks In The Most Popular Yoga Poses
There are a few yoga postures that we never want to ditch on our yoga mat like child’s pose, downward-facing dog pose, lounges, and so on. In order to use a block, you don’t need to create an entire yoga class afresh. I will help you to be innovative to add the prop to feel more powerful and stable with your yoga postures.
So let’s start.
Note: For the placement of the blocks, please refer to the images. For the complete tutorial, watch this video.
Child’s Pose
standing forward bend
Downward facing dog pose
Low Lounge aka Anjaneyasana
Plank Pose
Cobra Pose or Upward Dog
Bridge Pose
Fish Pose
Bound Angle Yoga Pose
Camel Pose
Moving Crunches.
Half Moon Pose
Yoga Blocks Buying Guide
When thinking of buying yoga blocks, you should first decide on the material. But in case you’re just first time user, go for foam because of the easy handling they offer. Once you are comfortable using them, try for cork and wooden. However, wooden blocks, expensive though, are durable enough to last for 10 years if not lifelong. Then you can consider cork yoga blocks fit somewhere in between the wood and foam counterparts.
Hugger Mugger Bamboo Yoga Block
USP
- Lightweight and hollow
- Smooth finish
- Rounded corners and edges
- Travel friendly
>>Few customers aren’t happy because of the hollowness, otherwise ok. Also, remember that you are paying for one block, not for a pair of the blocks.
Arltb Yoga Cork Yoga Blocks
USP
- Cork block is suitable for meditation, Hot Yoga, Power yoga, Restorative yoga, Kundalini yoga, Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Vinyasa yoga, and so on.
- Comes with a D-ring yoga strap and a carry bag.
Check for higher prices and few customers complaint for chipping away.
Yoga Design Lab Cork Yoga Blocks
USP
- Attractive Looks
- Nice grip
- Portable and travel friendly
Prices are high for single block.
Heathyoga Yoga Block
USP
- Unique with dual colors
- Solid, slip-resistant, made of high-density foam.
- Affordable, durable
>>One without a negative remark. Matching strap is an add-on.
Gaiam Essentials Yoga Block
USP
- Cheers for ultimately getting a yoga starter kit at a great price.
- Soft and squishy.
- Vibrant colors.
>Softest version of yoga blocks. One customer complaints leaving palm-marks after single use!
Winding up- How To Use Yoga Blocks For Back Pain
Yoga has the unique ability to provide a workout that is multi-dimensional in nature: effecting the body, mind, energy, and emotions. Yoga also allows you to moderate the level of activity based on your current state of energy to avoid further exhausting or depleting energy that may severe your discomfort and pain. Yoga Props are very helpful in these situations by providing support and balance to your body during your practice. A regular yoga practice can help you to alleviate your stress and improve your posture.
Are you still surprised and confused about how to buy yoga blocks? First of all, I say go for them, you will never regret this purchase. Though it may not sound so compelling right now, you will use your set of bricks more often than you think out of your yoga mat too.
As for a choice of material comes, I personally find wood block more masculine. It may sound funny, but I am being practical. Sturdy, rough, and tough…
Cork block has its own merits and demerits. Yet my vote in this category casts to this beautifully printed one from the yoga design lab.
But the winner is this foam yoga block. I hope you will never regret this buy.
Thanks for reading and being with me on your yoga mat. Please share and also subscribe on YouTube and gain more Good Karma 😉
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