Unlocking Your Yoga Practice with Yoga Blocks

There are quite a few different accessories that can be used to improve your yoga practice, and yoga blocks are a great way to start. In fact, yoga blocks are one of the most versatile props in the yogi’s toolkit. They come in handy for a variety of different poses, and they can be used to modify poses so that they are more accessible to all levels of practitioners. In this blog, we’ll look at key ways you can use yoga blocks to unlock your practice.

What are Yoga Blocks?

Yoga blocks are one of many accessories also called props that can help you in your yoga practice. These are not just for beginners, even though people often assume that they are. Many moves are easier to learn first with the yoga blocks, however, especially inversions that require flipping and contorting your body into more intricate positions.

Yoga blocks come in a few different sizes, are soft to the touch, but sturdy enough to be used in different poses. The original yoga blocks were made of different types of wood, making them very sturdy to balance on. However, many of the modern blocks are made of foam, so that they are a little easier on your joints.

If you’re an environment warrior, the good news is that many manufacturers make eco-friendly blocks, made of recycled materials. They come in different colors, too, so if you want to match your yoga props to your outfit, you can.

Why Use Yoga Blocks?

Yoga blocks are a great way to open up the body in standing poses and twists. When used correctly, they allow for greater access to the poses by creating space within the body and providing stability when needed. They can also be used to modify poses in order to make them safer and more accessible for people with a range of body types and experience levels.

Here are some main reasons why yoga blocks can be beneficial to your practice:

• They provide support and stability while practicing poses that require balance or strength.
• They help to open up the body in standing poses, such as hip openers, by creating space where tension is held.
• You can make poses easier for yourself if you’re a beginner, or if you’re more advanced and want to deepen your practice.
• They can make transitions between poses smoother by providing an extra layer of support.
• Yoga blocks can also help increase flexibility and improve alignment in poses.

How are They Used?

There are a few different ways to use yoga blocks, but the primary purpose is to get help with balancing your body while doing yoga. For example, many people will use the block when they first start doing inversions like the crow pose. It can be placed underneath the hand that is closer to the mat to give you some stability when learning this pose.

Others like to use yoga blocks to help strengthen their core, just as putting it between your knees and hugging it while doing different abdominal moves during yoga. This helps to engage your core quite a bit.

Over time, you will learn how to do the poses without the yoga block, but you need to learn how to crawl before learning to walk.

When using yoga blocks in your practice, it is important to remember that the goal is not to replace your body with the block; rather, it should be used as an extension of yourself. The idea is to create space between your joints so that you can deepen into poses without strain or pain.

By now, you have a good idea about using blocks and the main benefits. However, if you are still on the fence about it, here are some of the ways you can use yoga blocks in your practice:

Use Blocks for Support & Stability

One of the most common uses for yoga blocks is as support and stability in standing poses and balances. Placing a block underneath one hand while in triangle pose, for example, will give you something solid to press against as you reach up towards the ceiling with your other arm. This allows more weight to be transferred through your lower body which increases stability and balance.

Similarly, placing a block between hands when doing warrior I or warrior II gives extra support while stretching out the shoulders and arms.

Deeper Stretches

Yoga blocks are also useful when trying to achieve deeper stretches by providing leverage and creating space between joints. Placing a block underneath one hip while lying down in pigeon pose will allow more weight to be shifted onto that hip so that it can open up more deeply into the stretch without feeling too intense or uncomfortable.

Modify Poses

One of the main reasons why yogis use yoga blocks is to modify poses so that they are more accessible to a wider range of practitioners. This can mean anything from lowering your hands/feet closer to the ground when doing standing or arm balances, or using the block as a seat when doing seated poses.

The point is that you should always listen to your body and adjust the pose according to what feels comfortable for you. By utilizing yoga blocks, you can ensure that you’re getting maximum benefit from your practice without forcing yourself into an uncomfortable position.

Prevent Injury

Many people don’t realize just how important yoga blocks can be for injury prevention as well. Because they provide extra support and stability, using them correctly can help reduce strain on joints and muscles while still allowing practitioners to gain maximum benefit from their practice—especially those who are just starting out.

Additionally, using yoga blocks allows practitioners to work within their own limits without having to push too hard or too far—which can lead to injury if done improperly.

Conclusion

Yoga blocks are an invaluable tool for any yogi’s practice. Whether it be modifying poses, providing supportive posture or preventing injury—these versatile props offer so much potential as tools for unlocking our practice. No matter what level of practitioner you may be, these simple tools will surely enhance your experience on the mat by providing extra support whenever needed.

Next time you unroll your mat give those trusty yoga blocks a try—after all they were designed specifically with us yogis in mind!