Yoga blocks have been used for decades by both beginners and advanced yogi’s. You can use yoga blocks in many different ways. They can be used for a variety of purposes:
- For building strength
- For flexibility
- For correct alignment of your body
- Deeper into postures
It comes down to three main components: extension, strength and support. You can read about what yoga blocks are and the different types here.
We have compiled a number of exercises based on the three pillars.
Lengthening Exercises
Lengthening your posture is good for correcting your alignment and deepening the stretch you are in. When you’re holding a pose from an exercise, but you find that you don’t have the balance to hold it, a yoga block comes in handy. Because you are searching for your balance you are probably not properly aligned and not getting the most out of the exercise.
Yoga blocks can also be used if you can’t touch the ground with your hands in a pose. The blocks provide a focal point and stability.
Extension exercise 1: downward facing dog
Many people have short hamstrings and difficulty touching the ground. Because of this, the back is often arched to still touch the ground. This takes the effectiveness of the exercise down, the solution? Use a yoga block. A yoga block with this exercise ensures that you keep a straight back and stretch your hamstrings correctly. In addition, you keep control of the exercise.
How do you perform the exercise?
- Place two blocks in front of your feet
- Place your hands on your hips and bend over while keeping your back straight.
- Gently lower your hands to the blocks and concentrate on keeping your back straight. As soon as you feel your back begin to arch, place your blocks at the correct height.
Extension exercise 2: Triangle pose
The triangle pose is a well known exercise in the yoga world. Often when stretching, you don’t touch the floor and are advised to grab your ankle. You cannot touch the floor because your hamstrings are too short. Grabbing your ankle will cause you to bend forward which takes away from the effect of the exercise. By using a yoga block, you can get the correct posture of the exercise.
How to perform the exercise?
- Stand up straight with your feet slightly apart.
- Turn your left right toe 90 degrees and keep your left toes facing forward.
- Place a yoga block by your right foot.
- Extend your arms above your head and lower your right arm to the yoga block. Be sure not to bend forward.
Exercises for strength
Yoga blocks are a great tool for building strength. Many yoga exercises are good for flexibility, but there are also yoga exercises to build strength . However, if you are not doing the correct poses, you are not getting the most out of the exercise. This may be because you don’t have the strength yet.
Yoga blocks are a good way to force your body into the correct posture.
With a correctly placed block you can tighten a lot of small muscles that you have never felt before. So all you need is a yoga block!
Strength exercise 1: the boat
The boat is one of the best exercises for your core. In this exercise you clamp a block between your legs which helps to keep your legs straight. In addition, it forces you to tighten more muscles.
How do you perform the exercise?
- Start in a sitting position on the floor with your knees bent and your feet on the floor.
- Place the yoga block between your calves.
- Lean back until you feel your abdominal muscles tighten.
- Stretch your legs and bring them into the air.
Exercise for support
Many relaxing yoga exercises require flexibility. If you lack this, the exercises can be experienced as quite strenuous. This is despite the fact that we do them to relax. There are several ways to use a yoga block to give you stability so you can relax.
Support exercise 1: sitting on your ankles
Sitting on your ankles is a good exercise for stretching and extending your hips and thighs. The most common complaint in this pose is that your ankles start to hurt. By placing a yoga block under your seat you reduce the pressure on your ankles.
Support exercise 2: the fish
Many people experience complaints between the shoulder blades because they sit bent over at their desk for years. This exercise helps to increase your range of motion. By placing a yoga block between your shoulder blades, the rest of your body can relax and stretch.
How do you perform the exercise?
- Start by placing the block on the floor where your shoulder blades will land. If necessary, move the block a few times until you find the sweet spot.
- Spread your arms and relax completely.
Yoga blocks are thus a widely applicable tool for all kinds of different exercises.
