What is a yoga block good for?
Made from foam, bamboo, wood or cork, the block is often used as an extension of the arms, but can also support the back, head and hips to help the body settle into a pose. Furthermore, yoga blocks: Support range of motion, thereby shortening the distance between you and the floor (“bringing the floor closer to you”)
What is the difference between a yoga block and a yoga brick? The main differences are the dimensions. Yoga blocks are thinner and have a greater flat surface area whereas a yoga brick is chunkier making them a bit denser.
Are Yoga Blocks Worth It? Next to a yoga mat, yoga blocks are one of the most useful props to incorporate into your practice. They help with alignment, prevent injury and muscle strain, enhance stretches by making certain poses more accessible, and support seated and reclined poses.
- Best Overall Yoga Block: Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Block.
- Best Affordable Yoga Block: Gaiam Embossed Yoga Block.
- Best Narrow Yoga Block: Adidas High-Density Yoga Block.
- Best Cork Yoga Block: Jade Yoga Cork Blocks.
- Best Curved Yoga Block: Manduka Unblok.
- Best Yoga Block In a Set: Sunshine Yoga Restorative Yoga Kit.
Most of the time you will only need one yoga block, but there is a good chance that you'd regret not buying two. There are a few advantages of purchasing two blocks at once.
If you've ever assumed that yoga blocks are only for beginners, you might be surprised to learn that blocks can - and should - be used by all levels of practitioners. Yoga postures look and feel different in every body, so it only makes sense that props would be the same way.
Using blocks reduces pressure on your muscles and joints, helping to avoid stress injuries. And by using blocks to modify the more difficult postures, you're less likely to sustain an injury by forcing your body into a pose that isn't accessible to you.
If you find you are not getting the recommended 7 hours or more of sleep each night, it may be time to change things up in the way you sleep. Sleeping with a yoga bolster may sound like a strange suggestion, but the truth is this supportive pillow can bring a bevvy of benefits to your bedtime routine.
Sitting on the block can let your hips open up more comfortably rather than letting your knees point upwards. This can help to lengthen the spine. If your thighs are particularly tight, even the simple Hero pose can be a strain. Kneel on your Yoga matt with legs hip-width apart.
Yoga Blocks
Simply clean them by using a small amount of dish soap mixed with water and rubbing the surface of the block. Let them sit out to dry. Wood blocks can be cleaned in the same way. For cork blocks, don't use any soap, and instead just wipe them down with a wet cloth.
What is the most effective form of yoga?
Ashtanga Yoga
The Path: The most dynamic and vigorous form of yoga, Ashtanga approaches yoga with a continuous flow of movement. Top athletes who seek a more intense workout enjoy this form of yoga, sometimes called vinyasa or power yoga. Ashtanga creates heat in the body to purge it of toxins.
The most popular style of yoga in the West is “Hatha Yoga”, which uses postures, breathing and meditation techniques to create balance and harmony in your life.

Ashtanga is considered the most difficult yoga style because you need a lot of patience and discipline.
9” x 6” x 4” is the traditional size for Yoga Blocks. We believe this is the best size because it's offers the most stability. Plus, this is what most teachers have learned on and teach with. 9” x 6” x 3” - a popular size block.
Foam rollers make a good alternative to yoga blocks.
Weight. When it comes to how much your yoga blocks should weigh, it depends on your goals. Lighter blocks are good for bolstering and activating specific muscles during certain poses, whereas heavier blocks can ensure a stable foundation for standing or ground poses.
Savasana is a pose of total relaxation—making it one of the most challenging.
Hatha yoga classes tend to be good for beginners because they're slower-moving. Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and power yoga classes can be more challenging, depending on the level of instruction. Iyengar has a strong focus on proper alignment, and often uses props to help students perfect their form.
Downward Facing Dog: Save Your Wrists
Lay two blocks flat on your mat, shoulder-width apart. Place your hands on your Yoga Blocks and raise your pelvis toward the sky. There's no need to straighten the legs. Focus instead on creating a continuous line between your hands and sit bones.
There aren't many drawbacks to doing yoga before bed as long as you do the poses safely. If you feel that even gentle poses will stimulate your mind or body enough to keep you awake, then it's best to avoid them. Instead, focus on meditation, breathing techniques, or tai chi.
Where do you place yoga blocks under your back?
Start by lying on your back with your feet on the ground and knees up. Keep your feet and knees parallel to one another. Press through the inner edges of your feet to lift your hips. Place a block on its tall, medium, or low height underneath your sacrum.
Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground. Place the block between your thighs. With arms to the side, press into your elbows and shoulders to lift up your back and hips toward the ceiling. Bring your hands together underneath of your back and move shoulder blades closer together on the mat.
Get a yoga block and strap, if needed
Your yoga instructor may tell you during class when it's a good time to use a block or strap, but feel free to use one whenever it feels right for you. (Of course, you're welcome to bring your own yoga block and strap if you prefer.)
Yes, you certainly can! But before you try you should understand the pros and cons of not using one. Your choice will also depend on the type of yoga you practice and your needs for padding, space, hygiene and eco-friendliness.
Very durable & long-lasting – Wood blocks can literally last a lifetime if you take care of them. Although they are on the pricier side you do have to take into account that they will last as long as you take care of them. Wood blocks are heavier than cork and foam.
Practising yoga regularly aims the flab in the abdominal region, burns calories, makes your abdominal muscles more flexible, unwinds the mind and body and enhances overall metabolism. The key to getting a flatter belly and a well-toned physique is to combine yoga with a balanced diet and good sleep and food habits.
When done consistently and under the guidance of a proper yoga instructor, yoga usually takes about 6-12 weeks to see results, although this varies from person to person. Yoga must be practiced in its entirety for the best benefits.
Do not perform yoga in extreme weather conditions, like when it is too hot, too cold or too humid. Breathing plays a vital role in yoga practice. One should not hold their breath unnaturally until instructed by the trained. Breathe normally unless any special instructions are given.
Generally, foam yoga blocks can be machine washed. It's more effort than wiping it with a clean cloth but could be essential if they are really dirty. Yoga studios that need to clean several blocks prefer this method.
Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean yoga mats if you're adding it to a spray bottle and diluting it with water. Just make sure to clean off any visible dirt or grime on your mat first with soap and water. You can do a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water together in a spray bottle.
Can you Lysol wipe a yoga mat?
Daily Cleaning Tips for Your Yoga Equipment
For many mat types, you should use a soft cloth rather than a Lysol wipe. The harsh chemicals in Lysol can damage the surface of porous mats, and you may end up absorbing the chemicals during your next savasana.
Standing balance on block
Using a block to stand on for standing balance postures make the balance and stability much harder to find than doing the same yoga poses without the block. This makes them great to work on to help improve your balance.
9” x 6” x 4” is the traditional size for Yoga Blocks. We believe this is the best size because it's offers the most stability. Plus, this is what most teachers have learned on and teach with. 9” x 6” x 3” - a popular size block.
4-Inch Foam, Marbled Foam, Recycled Foam, Cork, Bamboo, Wood Yoga Blocks: For general use, 4-Inch Yoga Blocks are the standard. The dimensions (4″ x 6″ x 9″) have been found to be the most universally useful for average practitioners.
You should begin to notice a difference in how flexible you are within two to four weeks. However, that's only if you practice stretching at least five days every week. You also want to practice an array of stretches so that your whole body feels the burn.
There is no specific timeline with how soon you will see results, as this all depends on your frequency of practice, age, and consistency. However, people typically see results within 3 to 6 months, and the more that you practice, the more that your body will open up and gain more flexibility.