Let’s be honest; not all of us are as flexible as we would like to be. And it’s all right! Regardless of their flexibility, everyone can benefit from yoga. If you are looking for a versatile and effective tool to help with your stretching routine, then you should consider using yoga blocks. Yoga blocks can be used in a variety of ways to improve your stretches and enable you to perform more difficult poses.
In this article, we’ll go over the advantages of yoga blocks and how to utilise them to make your stretching routine better. We’ll look at various yoga postures that can be done using yoga blocks as well.
What are Yoga Blocks?
Yoga blocks are rectangular blocks that are usually made of foam or cork. You may select the ones that best suit your needs because they are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Yoga blocks can be very helpful for beginners or people who have difficulty performing certain yoga poses. The purpose of yoga blocks is to provide support and stability so that you can safely achieve the full depth of a pose.
Blessings of Using Them in Your Yoga Practice
After a brief introduction to the yoga blocks, let’s move on to the benefits you can reap if you use them. We’ll also explore some yoga poses and how to do them with the help of these blocks.
Assist in Achieving Proper Alignment
If you are a beginner, yoga blocks can be very helpful in achieving the correct alignment in yoga poses. Many beginners tend to round their back when they are performing forward bends. Lower back pain can stem from this. Yoga blocks can help you keep your back straight and avoid rounding it.
Aid in Making Your Stretches Deeper
Yoga blocks can be quite beneficial if you want to deepen your stretches. By placing the block under your hand or foot, you can achieve a deeper stretch. You can be greatly helped if you have tight muscles.
Improve Your Balance
By placing the block on the ground and placing your hand or foot on top of it, you can improve your balance. This is especially helpful in poses such as tree pose or warrior III.
Make Poses More Accessible
Performing certain yoga poses can be a real struggle, especially if you are not very flexible. These poses can be made more possible by using yoga blocks. For example, if you cannot reach your foot in a standing forward bend, you can place a yoga block on the ground and place your foot on top of it.
Help You Relax
Yoga blocks can also be used as a support for your head or back in relaxation poses. You can relax any strain on your neck and shoulders by placing the block beneath your head. This is incredibly useful in yoga poses like child’s pose or savasana.
Poses to Try With Yoga Blocks
Now that we know all about the benefits of using yoga blocks, let’s explore some yoga poses that can be performed with them.
Warrior III Pose
You can strengthen your legs and increase your balance by doing this stance. To perform this posture with a yoga block, place the block on the ground in front of you and place your left foot on top of it. When you are in this position, rest your hands in front of you or make a prayer stance. Then, for 30 to 60 seconds, maintain this posture.
Malasana
Malasana is excellent for groin and hip stretches. Perform this pose with a yoga block by placing the block on the ground between your legs. Squat down so that your hips are resting on the block. When you are squatting, you can either take a praying position or place your hands on the ground in front of you. Then, stay in this posture for about 1 minute (30 seconds if you can’t).
Half Moon Pose
Stretching your body’s side muscles with the Half Moon pose is a terrific idea. Start with placing the block on the ground next to your left foot. Put your right hand on the block and elevate your right leg behind you from here. As you look up, extend your left hand. Take about 30 to 60 seconds in this stance before moving in the opposite way.
Toe Squat Pose
Your feet and ankles will be greatly stretched and benefit from the toe squat position. To perform this pose with a yoga block, place it on the ground in front of you and support your heels on the edge of the block while placing your toes on the ground. From here, lower your heels toward the ground. Then, maintain this posture for 30 to 60 seconds.
Camel Pose
To stretch the front of your body, try the camel stance. Performing this posture with a yoga block makes it easier and more effective for a beginner. To do this, stand on your knees on the ground and place a yoga block under your pelvis. Put your hands on the block with a backwards reach. Arch your back now and look up towards the ceiling. Lastly, maintain the stance for between 30 and 60 seconds.
Conclusion
We discussed the fundamentals and benefits you can get by using yoga blocks in your practice. Moreover, we explained how yoga blocks could help you stretch better. Finally, we provided a few poses to try with yoga blocks. Also, these are a few examples of the many stretching yoga poses you can do effectively with yoga blocks. This is just the tip of the yoga block; you can explore and experiment with many other poses. Have fun while being inventive! However, always pay attention to your breathing and your body’s signals.
