Yoga blocks are the silent assistant for the beginner and a trusty aid for the adept. They offer a means of support that enables even the stiffest body to adapt into some modified yoga position or other.
Their shapes are classically rectangular with a dimension averaging 3"x 6"x 9". They can be made out of wood, foam or tightly compressed foam.
The consistency is very important. Too saggy and there is little or no support. Too heavy and they become a burden and encumbrance.
Some mass produced articles are put out as yoga blocks in the interests of easy bucks and the yoga bandwagon - they are to be avoided as often they are made with materials that are less than healthy. Hardly the right beginning for a healthier lifestyle!
What should I look out for in yoga blocks?
Make sure that they are strong enough to lean on both vertically and horizontally
Check that they are made from non-toxic materials
Make sure they are not going to crumble and break up with use (You will be surprised how many do)
Decide how many you need for the postures you wish to practice (ask your teacher for advice here if you are a beginner)
How adaptable are they for different positions and needs?
Why do I need yoga blocks for my practice?
As we have previously stated the beginner is helped by supporting her/him in asanas (postures) that otherwise would be too strong or not able to be attained in the beginning.
With careful direction from a qualified teacher, the student can be shown how she can use the blocks as support under the body - under the hand in standing postures or under head and wrists in forward bends - for example.
Blocks are also useful for sitting on to raise the pelvic area, allowing for a more aligned sitting posture and proper alignment of the spine.
In meditation, once the student feels reasonably comfortable in Sukhasana (the sitting posture) a block can be used to allow the legs to be crossed and knees comfortably opened towards the floor.
...and what is a brick?
Some may be used for building houses but not the yoga brick. It is made for building strength, alignment, confidence and balance. The best bricks are lightweight, strong and very supportive.
How many uses are there for yoga blocks?
There are as many uses as postures nearly!
Well that may be a bit of an exaggeration as there are classically hundreds, if not thousands of postures, but suffice to say there are all sorts of uses for these excellent yoga props.
Some of the most popular uses for the blocks are:
Using them in standing positions to help with grounding.
In Tadasana (the mountain pose), a block slipped under the heels allows for better alignment of the spine.
In seated positions, especially sitting twists, blocks can offer lift that aids the twist and facilitates a slight rise in the pelvic area.
In standing positions where there are sideways movements and bends, such as in Ardha Chandrasana (the half moon posture) or Trikonasana (the triangle) blocks are able to be piled in multiples, depending on the lack of flexibility of the student, to support the lower hand toward the floor.
They are useful for Supta Virasana (hero lying down), as support for the spine.
In Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), having four or five allow for the neck and head to be free of strain. This is important for beginners or those who need to support to protect the neck. In headstand blocks are excellent for supporting the weight of the body, protecting the head and neck from too much strain.
Can yoga blocks cater for all these positions?
In our opinion most yoga blocks do not cater by being flexible in size and shape and able to meet all these needs.
How many blocks do I need?
That really depends on what you want to use them for.
As support for an individual posture five or six Full Buddies tend to cover this need. However all postures do not require the same height support, so having some Half Buddies is useful.
A recommended starter pack of Buddies would be 5 Full and 2 Half Buddies
