What are yoga blocks for?

Yoga blocks are a fabulous aid for many different styles of yoga practice, regardless of whether you have just started your yoga journey or have been practising for many years. There are lots of different ways that they can help you by offering support in various poses. Trying to achieve certain positions can be difficult if you are new to yoga or if you have an injury. Yoga block moves the ground that little bit closer, so you can reach the full benefits of each pose without having to strain yourself. It helps ensure proper alignment until you achieve the flexibility needed and boosts your confidence. Experienced yogis also use blocks as a way to deepen certain poses, making them more difficult and challenging. It also creates more of a stretch as you can achieve more depth to your poses; for example, when used in a fish pose a brick between the shoulder blades will not only support the back but open up the chest, giving you a deeper, more restorative stretch.

How to use yoga blocks?

You can think of yoga blocks as offering three different heights of support. More often than not, yoga blocks are rectangular in shape. Placed flat on the back of the yoga block, you have the lowest support; standing on the long side, you have a medium level of support; and finally, placing the yoga brick on the short end gives you the highest level of support on clearance from the floor, for example. If you think about the classic forward bend, if your lower back is still relatively stiff and not yet loosened up and flexible, placing the yoga block, end up gives you a good 6 or 7-inch clearance from the floor, meaning you don't have to try and bend so far. As you progress, you can turn the yoga block on its side to lower the distance and finally place it flat, so you are pending further each time to achieve the pose. Remember that when standing on its tallest end, the yoga block is at its least stable, so care must be taken not to allow it to fall over. Yoga bricks used on the flat backside are very stable, especially when placed on a sticky yoga mat.

Are yoga blocks useful?

You will find yoga blocks in UK yoga studios across the country. This is because they are incredibly valuable tools, and although some advanced yoga practitioners may feel they do not need them, the truth is there are lots of yoga block uses. When you first start yoga classes, you may realise that you are quite stiff and not overly flexible, meaning that some yoga poses, even those that seem quite basic, are hard to achieve. Rather than missing out or risking injury from overreaching, a yoga block can help move the floor closer to your hands! Rather than viewing this as cheating, you should see yoga blocks as a tool for modifying poses to ensure they are safe and match your ability level. Conversely, if you are very good at yoga, the blocks are excellent for modifying poses to make them more challenging and provide deeper levels of stretch. They can support any part of your body, so they are also excellent for injury recovery.

What exercises can I do with yoga blocks?

Yoga blocks can be used in many different exercises; for example, with forward bends, they can help if you are not flexible enough to reach the floor, and many people consider that one of the best uses for yoga blocks is as an extension of your arms. In downward-facing dog, a yoga block can also change the angle of the stretch required by the arms and legs, either making it harder or a little easier if you are still a beginner. Yoga blocks can also be used to ensure alignment; for example, in mountain pose, placing a yoga brick lengthways between your forearms can ensure that as you raise them above your head, they stay together and neatly placed. Good posture is really important, and it can be easy to pick up bad habits, so a strategically placed block can remind you where a certain body part should be and improve your posture. In relaxation exercises, yoga blocks can help really open up a stretch giving additional benefits.

Can you stand on a yoga block?

Depending on what your yoga block is made of, you can use it as a balancing tool and safely stand on it. Most blocks are made of dense foam or cork, and foam yoga blocks are the most popular. You should be able to get an idea of whether your particular yoga block is safe to stand on, depending on how firm it is. If you are going to stand on a yoga block, make sure it is on the lowest height, laying on the widest flat side. If you use a block for standing balance passages, you will find you need to work harder to maintain your balance and stay stable. If you are just starting out using a yoga block as a balancing tool, consider ensuring you can reach a worktop or wall in case you lose your balance. Placing your yoga block on either of its sides is not advised, as this makes it much less stable and could cause a serious ankle injury if you fall.

Are all yoga blocks the same size?

There are a wide variety of yoga blocks on the market in various shapes and sizes. However, a standard yoga block is about 4" x 6" x 9”. Iyengar yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga that uses tools to support the body, and this means there have been many different blocks developed over the years. If you practice Iyengar yoga, you will find that the recommended size is 9" x 4.5" x 3", so slightly smaller and narrower than a standard yoga block. Depending on the size of your hands, you may find a slightly bigger or smaller block makes it easier for you to work with. Yoga blocks do also come in different shapes, although some people refer to them then as bolsters or cushions. However, you can get curved, egg-shaped or rounded blocks which are perfect for backbends as they are ergonomically shaped to support your spine.

What is the difference between a yoga brick and yoga block?

The answer to this question is that it really depends on whom you ask. As mentioned above, yoga blocks come in different sizes, and the dimensions of some make them look exactly like a house brick. Yoga blocks tend to be a little bit narrower and have a wider surface area. However, you may also find that the two terms are used interchangeably. You would likely find yoga bricks and yoga blocks altogether in a shop section; for example, if you were to search for Amazon yoga blocks, you would notice that the result includes bricks and blocks of varying sizes. To be technically correct, yoga bricks are different from yoga blocks because of their size and shape.

Are cork yoga blocks better?

Cork yoga blocks are a great option in some cases, and as is often the case in yoga, it generally depends on what you are trying to achieve. They are quite lightweight, which means if you accidentally drop one on you, it won't hurt, but they can also be more easily damaged than some other materials, and bits can chip off. From an environmentally friendly point of view, they are a good choice because cork is a natural substance as opposed to foam which is man-made. When it comes to yoga block exercises, like balancing, the cork blocks are dense and do offer a sturdy base. They are also an excellent option if you are practising Bikram yoga or hot yoga, as they do not slip as much when you are sweaty.

What are the best yoga blocks to use?

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best yoga blocks for your practice. Cheap yoga blocks could be a good starting point if you are just learning yoga, but they may not be great if you need to put your whole weight on them. Yoga blocks can be made from foam, cork, bamboo and many other materials, including recycled yoga blocks. Bamboo is an interesting choice, as it offers a very durable yoga block that will last for a long time. It's quite heavy and gives a good degree of support when you are using it as a balancing tool. For example, the naturally uneven surface of bamboo is also particularly good for gripping, giving you better stability and less chance of slipping over. Bamboo is also naturally occurring and quite sustainable, making it great for the planet-friendly yogi.

Do I need 1 or 2 yoga blocks?

If you are looking to use your yoga blocks to bring the floor a little closer, then you probably need two, as you have two hands. In a forward bend with your feet together, one block could work as your hands will be fairly close together as you bend forwards. But it's a good idea to have two in your yoga bag as, more often than not, you will need both. It's also a good idea to buy a matching pair as they will look and feel the same. Some people have a pair of yoga blocks that are made from a soft material like foam and also keep a pair of yoga blocks made from something more solid like bamboo. It may be more comfortable to do backbends and expand your chest with a softer foam block, and much easier to balance on one leg standing on a bamboo block.

What are the best yoga blocks for travelling?

Yoga blocks, by nature, are not easy to compress or fold into any smaller packages. So when it comes to travelling, it's really up to you. Although bamboo yoga blocks, for example, are heavier than foam blocks, they are still not going to weigh that much. The main consideration is how much space you have in your luggage and what you are prepared to carry. Both cork and foam blocks are lightweight and Do Not present any major difficulties when it comes to transporting them.

How to clean yoga blocks?

If you have a foam yoga block, you can clean it by using a damp cloth and dishwashing soap. It is important to keep it clean as yoga studio floors are often dirty by the end of the lesson. You also want to make sure your yoga block is not permanently shut in a bag, as it could be slightly wet from sweat when you put it away. On returning from lessons, it's important to get both the mat and your blocks out to air. Wooden blocks should never be soaked in water as they will absorb it and be damaged. If you buy a specific brand, for example, from us or something like a Gaiam yoga block, it will come with cleaning instructions.

What is a yoga wedge and how do you use them?

A yoga wedge is similar to a yoga block but is triangular shaped with a narrower side and a deeper side. Yoga wedges come in various angles and can be used to support the ankles, knees or wrists. Generally, you'll find that yoga wedges are made from foam and again come in pairs or as a single item. Yoga wedges are particularly helpful if you have a wrist injury or something like shin splints. They are perfectly shaped to relieve any pressure when using your wrists or ankles in yoga poses. If you are struggling to get your heels to the ground, a yoga wedge can act in a similar way to yoga bricks and slightly modify a pose so that you can get the maximum benefit without having to strain your body.

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