How to Use Yoga Blocks: Tips & Poses to Consider

Does your yoga session go beyond mats, blankets, and straps? Are you supposed to arrive at the studio armed with blocks but reluctant to do so since you’re unaware of their purpose and usage? 

Don’t let this unawareness ruin your chances of attaining unmatched stability, strength, and flexibility, as this article will explain everything there is to know about yoga blocks.

Yoga blocks have been around for decades and were specifically created to make yoga even better. But the thing is, they tend to get avoided like the plague. However, what these practitioners don’t know is that yoga blocks provide advanced variations. They can bring the floor to you, help release tight hips, relax you into poses, and maintain proper alignment of your shoulders and arms. 

Unfortunately, yoga studios don’t give you the 101 on how to use yoga blocks. Fortunately, we have that covered. Below is a montage of all the tips and tricks you need to know on using yoga blocks to increase flexibility and purpose. 

What is the purpose of yoga blocks

Yoga with blocks enhances your ability to perform a pose. No matter the material, bamboo, cork, foam, or wood, blocks are helpful to extend the arms and provide support to the back, hips, and head to help the body settle into a position. In addition to this, having a quality yoga mat is also extremely important to maintain balance while using your blocks. That said, if you and your crew want to buy premium quality mats at reasonable prices, you can order some wholesale yoga mats online too. These mats provide enough cushioning to protect your joints and body.

Furthermore, when it comes to the benefits of yoga blocks, these tools aid in the following matters:

• Establishing correct alignment 
• Support range of motion, thus shortening the distance between the floor and you.
• Bring awareness to support and engage muscles in a certain pose properly
• Help make yoga manageable for beginners and those experiencing physical limitations or injury.

Also Read : Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga

What is the most suitable yoga block for beginners?

Newbies will benefit from frivolous, high-density cork or foam yoga blocks since they offer incredible support and stability. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a particular name, the Gaiam Essentials Latex-Free yoga block is a sturdy and reasonable choice.

Are yoga blocks even worth it?

Considering the inexpensive price tags most yoga blocks have, there is no reason for you not to have one or two for yourself. 

Yoga blocks will also offer value to your entire yoga session. If perfecting your technique while being conscious of keeping track of your thoughts and breathing during the practice is essential to you. So yes, they are worth buying.

Uses of Yoga Blocks

Indeed, there are numerous ways to using blocks in yoga, but in the end, it all boils down to the three main things: strengthening, support, and lengthening. It is also essential to ensure that you use the right type and size of a yoga block. The standard yoga block size is 4-inch, but depending on the material you choose, sizes will vary. In terms of block material, foam blocks are a little less stable but more comfortable than the joints. However, if your yoga involves more weight-bearing positions, cork blocks may be the perfect fit. 

Here, we’ve broken down a few positions that display the proper usage of yoga blocks. The blocks used in the following poses may get carried over to use with several other poses. 

Downward Facing Dog

The downward-facing dog has numerous benefits. However, this is a demanding pose. It requires a boatload of upper-body strength and the ability to hang the head below the heart. 

Here’s how to use yoga blocks in the downward-facing dog:

• Bend your weight back in the direction of your heels with the blocks beneath your palms to relieve wrist pressure.

To deepen the posture,

• Place the blocks against a wall and put your feet up.

The Child’s Pose

For this, you don’t necessarily need a hard-core yoga block as this is a seated pose, and your knees/legs will hurt if you use one. However, you can use firm cushions as a yoga block substitute. Still, if you have your heart set on yoga blocks, use them.

As far as the child’s pose is concerned, it entails a restorative posture and can offer a reasonable amount of rest to the body. However, this posture might appear unpleasant and challenging for many people due to the head’s weight and position.

Here is how you can use blocks in the child’s pose.

• Position the block underneath your forehead and massage your brow bone. 
• Place another yoga block underneath your tailbone.

To deepen the posture:

• Place your elbows or forearms on two blocks for a chest and arm stretch.
• Put the blocks below your feet.

The Reclining Bound Angle Pose

Whatever position you choose to go with here, take all the time you need to discover the sensations and breathing patterns of the posture. 

Here’s how you can use yoga blocks for this position:

• Practice with blocks below each knee and explore a series of heights. 
• Place an additional block(s) under your head.

For the posture:

• Position a block between your shoulder blades and turn this pose into a heart opener.
• Place another block underneath your pelvis. Pick the suitable height of the block as this position can get intense, and you need all the support you can get.

Camel Pose

If you haven’t done yoga blocks your best friend by this point, the camel pose will make this happen. In the camel pose, blocks provide ease and serve as a token to live with an open heart no matter what.

Here’s how you can use yoga blocks in this pose:

• Position two blocks at a suitable height beside every ankle. When you get into the camel position, release your hands onto the blocks. Do not dump into your shoulders or put your weight onto the blocks – think buoyant and light here.
• Put a block under your every foot.

For posture:

• Position a block in-between your thighs and congest inward.
• Move into a floating camel by raising your knees off the ground while still congesting the block.
• Put one block between your thighs and one under each knee as you practice an advanced floating camel.

Lunges

If you’re wondering how to use yoga blocks for splits, the stance of lunges will cover it. 

This pose increases hip flexibility but requires a deeper stretch, so blocks are necessary to provide support and comfort.

Here’s how you can use the block for lunges:

• Position your right foot forward and ground it in between your palms. Place a block under both your palms so you can lengthen out to your spine.

What are yoga blocks good for?

There are plenty of ways to utilize yoga blocks to your advantage. Whether you’re looking for something to lean on when performing demanding poses or just improving your suppleness, there isn’t a shortage of yoga block exercises.

Below are some of them.

• Handstands
• Back stretching
• Chest opener pose
• Hamstring tension release
• Neck support
• Maintaining balance
• Sun salutations 

By adding blocks to your yoga routine, you can easily receive the best amount of support for correctly accomplishing each exercise/pose.

Conclusion

Yoga blocks provide you with the odds to control what happens on the inside of your body. Regardless of how you’re doing yoga, it’s worth getting a nice set of yoga blocks with a group or in solitude. Whether you think you “need” them or not, they can be powerful tools to help you discover and expand your yoga horizon. Now that you know all the essential hacks for using yoga blocks, ensure you carry the right ones with you and properly use them.

Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.

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Emma Aaron

Having completed my Bachelor’s degree in medicine and currently pursuing a house job at a well reputed hospital in California, I decided to utilize my spare time in sharing knowledge with others through my blog. Apart from my time spent in the medical field, I love to read fiction novels and go on long drives.