Yoga Blocks Central

Yoga poses come in almost countless combinations of arm, leg, and spine positions. When you are first starting out, there are poses that will seem almost impossible to you, with which you may require some help or assistance—poses that will, if you continue your practice, one day be quite easy as you move on to more and more challenging poses.

But when you are starting out, it can help to have a way to add support without changing the essence of a pose. A yoga block can be used for this. Say, for example, you are doing a pose that requires you to bend at the waist, turn, and place your hand on the ground. You need to do so without bending your arms and legs too much, but because you are a beginner, you are having trouble getting your hand to reach the floor. Without the support of your hand on the floor, you are shaky and struggling to find stability.

This is when a yoga block comes in handy. You can set the block below your hand, between your hand and the floor, and use it for support until your flexibility and strength improve and you are able to reach all the way.

Another way that the block can be used is when you are doing a pose that requires you to lay on your back. Many times, the person leading your class will suggest that you place a rolled up cloth (such as a towel) or a yoga block under your head and neck for support.

Then, after you have moved from a beginner to an intermediate or expert in of the art of yoga, you will find many many other uses for your yoga block. More advanced poses use the block in quite clever and challenging ways. In fact, the Iyengar school of yoga is known for its use of props, the yoga belt and block in particular.

No matter what your level of expertise, the block is a great yoga prop to have. They come in different sizes and are fairly affordable, so once you have one or two, you will be ready for years of practice before you need to replace them (if indeed you ever do).