Our friend the Yoga Block

Yoga blocks

This blog will discuss how yoga blocks play a role in yoga and develop our muscles through adaptations and alignment.  

How many yoga blocks do you have 1,2,3? A better question is, how often do you use yoga blocks in practice?  Yoga blocks are a great tool to build you into poses, steady yourself, and bring the ground to you to avoid over stretching.  

Yoga blocks come in different colors, sizes, and shapes, but the most common is the rectangle, giving various options to use during practice.  Most experienced yogis recognize the value and use of Yoga blocks. In the classes taught at My Vinyasa Flow, yoga blocks are built into the beginner level teaching and continue through their most advanced class. With this information, why is there still a myth that yoga blocks are for beginners?  

Yoga blocks can help even the most experienced yogis move, and build and support themselves.  Yoga blocks can be used for advanced-up dogs, support the lower back during glute bridges, or in restorative practices.  Yoga blocks allow you the opportunity, and space to build deeper into your practice by finding comfort and not over-extending.  

Have you ever taken a yoga class where the entire class uses yoga blocks?  A yoga block class is truly an experience that will shift your thought process into a tool mentality and away from being a “beginner thing.”  

How do I use yoga blocks?  

With the most common blocks coming in a rectangular shape, yoga blocks are used in several different ways.  The more common methods include standing up vertically, lining flat, or being on their side.  Each one promotes a different level and adapts to the anatomical positioning of the practitioner.   How do I know what position is best for me?  Each position of the block is different, and the necessity for the block positioning comes from the flexibility, pose angle, and goal of the practice. 

Yoga blocks are one of the more inexpensive items you can find for a yoga practice and are sold nearly everywhere that sells exercise equipment.   Find your option and begin to build your collection and use of Yoga blocks.   Allow yourself to flow and build more confidence, stability, and a deeper understanding of your practice by using yoga blocks.  Namaste.