Try One of These Yoga Blocks to Deepen or Stabilize Any Pose or Stretch
Try One of These Yoga Blocks to Deepen or Stabilize Any Pose or Stretch
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi, the most popular accessory teachers and students gravitate toward is the yoga block. You’ve probably seen them spread out in class or in at-home workout videos, but if you’re wondering, “Do I really need a yoga block?” you should first find out what they actually do.
Yoga blocks are helpful for so many reasons, especially if you’re learning a new pose or want to go deeper into your stretches. Another great advantage? Yoga blocks make getting into poses safer, according to yoga instructor and founder of Bloom Yoga Studio, Kerry Maiorca. “Often the block is used to offer support in a pose, or to bring the floor closer to allow the student to find healthy alignment without sacrificing stability,” Maiorca says.
The most beneficial time to use a yoga block is, well, anytime you’re on your yoga mat, experts say. Not everyone is flexible enough to touch their toes, and there’s no shame in it. However, if you’re aiming to reach the ground during a triangle pose, your yoga block can help by shortening the distance between you and the floor. While stretching on the ground, a yoga block can also provide extra support for your back, hips, and legs.
Jen Fleming, a yoga teacher and teacher manager at YogaWorks in Atlanta, says that using a yoga block is essential in her practice and can offer something for advanced yogis, too. “There are creative ways to use blocks in practice that actually make poses more of a challenge,” Fleming says. “They can be used to activate a targeted muscle group, make balancing easier or harder, assist in restorative poses, the list is endless.”What to look for in the best yoga blocks
The key to quality rests in the materials used. From foam to cork to bamboo, each has its own set of beneficial features that can upgrade your yoga practice.
✔️ Weight: Maiorca recommends using a lighter block for activated muscle contraction during static poses. However, if you enjoy hot yoga, you may prefer a heavier block that won’t slip or slide around.
✔️ Stability: If you’re planning to stand on the yoga block, make sure it can hold up under your bodyweight and act as a firm foundation during your practice. (Toppling over is not an option!)
✔️ Density: You’re less likely to use a yoga block under your back or legs if it’s hard as a rock. That’s why both soft and hard yoga blocks are important to consider. Fleming says the density should be able to withstand weight while also having a little bit of give.
Ready to find your new favorite yoga companion? Ahead, you’ll find the best yoga blocks for any type of practice.
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