The way to Select the Excellent Yoga Block • Yoga Fundamentals

Yoga props were made by the late B.K.S. Iyengar as a body support tool to allow deeper expression of the alignment of a yoga pose. A yoga block or stone is one of the most popular yoga props for a yoga class. Yoga blocks are most commonly used to extend the hands, but also to support the back, head, and hips, and to deepen awareness of alignment. You can borrow blocks from most yoga studios, but you can buy your own too. Having your own set of pads is more hygienic than borrowing, and you can use them in your home practice. When purchasing a yoga block, you need to consider size, material, cost, and quantity.

Are Yoga Blocks Necessary?

The short answer is no – blocks are not required for use in yoga. However, it is common for yoga teachers to suggest or request the use of a block or two for their classes. A yoga block is most helpful for beginners and the injured or other physical limitations. However, advanced practitioners can use props to safely learn new challenging poses. Advanced yogis can also have certain body proportions that make certain poses difficult and require blocks to fully access and experience.

It's easy to think of yoga props as a crutch or something that only beginners need to use. Practitioners will also avoid them because they can often feel awkward and disrupt the flow and experience of a class. There are many ways you can use blocks to deepen and expand your yoga practice. Using yoga blocks in your yoga practice can:

• Make asanas more accessible by elongating your limbs.
• Create more balance in standing poses.
• Prevent injuries by reducing overreach and stress.
• Promote proper alignment and a deeper understanding of the asanas.
• Add support so you can relax and immerse yourself in the experience of the asana.
• Deepen the activation of the muscles and challenge the basic asanas.

Yoga block dimensions

The ideal size for a yoga block stated by B.K.S Iyengar is 9 x 4.5 x 3 inches. The most common yoga block dimensions are 4 "x 6" x 9 ", but you will find blocks that are both larger and smaller. Choosing a larger or smaller block depends on the size of your hands and flexibility. If you are small If you have hands and are fairly flexible, consider a smaller block. Conversely, if you have larger hands and less flexibility, opt for a larger block. Half-size or smaller blocks can also help if you have a height between one and need two blocks.

Yoga block shapes

The traditional yoga block is shaped like a rectangular brick. You can also find blocks that are in proportions other than the standard 4 "x 6" x 9 "and other shapes. Curved, rounded, or egg-shaped blocks are best for reclining poses and supporting your spine in asanas that involve yourself the back bends.

Choice of foam, wood and cork blocks

Yoga blocks were originally made of wood, but now there are blocks made of both foam and cork. Their materials change their weight, durability, sweat absorption, stiffness and affordability. Your choice of yoga block will depend on the type of class or type of yoga you practice, as well as your budget and personal preferences.

Wooden yoga blocks

Hollow wooden yoga blocks are often made from bamboo, birch, maple, pine, balsa, and poplar. Harder woods are more durable, while softer woods are lighter. Blocks of wood are comparatively hard and heavy (they usually weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds), but they are very sturdy, more aesthetic and last forever. The disadvantages of wooden blocks are that they are expensive, get slippery with wet hands, slide around on a wooden floor, and don't always stack well. Wooden blocks are also uncomfortable for restorative yoga classes or to support the weight of your body. This can be remedied somewhat by putting pads on the blocks.

Cork yoga blocks

Cork yoga blocks can be more environmentally friendly than wood blocks (depending on how wood and cork are harvested), and cork blocks are softer and weigh less than wood (between one and two pounds). They stack and store well, but unfortunately, cork absorbs sweat, moisture, and odors, which can cause them to smell funky and crumble or dented when worn. Cork blocks therefore need to be cleaned regularly and do not last as long as wooden blocks.

Foam yoga blocks

Foam yoga blocks are cheaper than cork and wood, lighter (weighing between 3 and 12 ounces), and very soft. Because of their low cost, durability, and ease of cleaning, they are the most common blocks in yoga studios. Blocks of foam are best for relaxing yoga classes or when used to support the weight of your body in yoga poses. The disadvantages of foam blocks are that foam can get dirty and wear out easily and is not as environmentally friendly as wood or cork. Sometimes they also feel weak or less stable when used for support in active poses.

How many yoga blocks do you need?

Most of the time, you'll only need one yoga block, but there's a good chance you will regret not buying two. There are some advantages to buying two pads at the same time. Firstly, you have a matching set and you don't have to remember the size, brand and color later. Second, you often find that having a block in each hand or stacked blocks provide more support, resulting in a greater variety of poses to try while exercising. Although buying two blocks at a time is more expensive, you can find sets of two blocks that are cheaper than buying two blocks at a time. If you buy a second block later, you may have to pay more shipping costs. If you don't need the second one, you can always give it to a yogi friend!

Where can I buy a yoga block?

Hugger Mugger was one of the first companies to make yoga mats and yoga props. There are several other large companies that continue to innovate and develop better materials and shapes to improve the functionality of blocks. If you are looking for a non-standard size or a non-rectangular shape, then you need to shop with a specialist yoga supply company. Yoga has become so popular that you can find yoga mats and props in big stores like Target, Dick & # 39; s Sporting Goods, and Walmart. Amazon.com offers a wide variety of blocks at all prices. Seasoned practitioners may want to invest in a premium block from a specialty yoga supplier because they are more durable. Beginners who are unsure of how dedicated they will be can best be served by purchasing a simple and inexpensive set of blocks.

Alternatives to yoga blocks

In a pinch, you can escape without having a home practice support pad. You may just not be able to use one or find an alternative. Look around your home for replacements – try a stack of books, some sturdy pillows, a foam roller, or a few folded blankets.

Are Yoga Blocks Worth It?

If you are brand new to yoga you might want to wait until you have experience to know how much a block you might need. If you practice at home regularly, it is likely a good idea to buy at least one pad. You can purchase a simple EVA foam yoga block for about $ 8 or a set of 2 for about $ 14. So this is a very small investment. Further thought and consideration is needed when considering a more expensive yoga block made from wood or cork. If you're practicing gentle, relaxing, or yin styles of yoga blocks, they are definitely worth checking out. Blocks are often used with triangle, bridge, camel, back angle, compensating crescent, and hero pose. If any of these poses are challenging or difficult for you, you would benefit from using blocks with them.