Off The Block

The most popular yoga prop, blocks can be used for a variety of poses at any stage of your practice.

- Shameem Akthar

The yoga block is possibly the most well known and popular prop. It is used by all levels of practitioners and for any number of poses. However, advanced students stop using it once the initial inhibition in a new pose is gone.

Blocks come in many materials and sizes. Common materials are hard foam or wood. And while the standard size is popular with everyone, thinner and smaller blocks or even slightly larger ones are also used. Foam blocks are softer on your body. For instance, if you do an arm balance with foam blocks, it is less hard on your palms. However, because foam is soft, it creates an instability that is tough on the wrists. I personally prefer wooden blocks for their solid steadiness. But falling on them can be hard. So, it is matter of individual orientation.