Yoga Blocks, What Are They Good For?

June 8th, 2009 by admin

Once you’ve discovered the many benefits of using yoga blocks, you will remember to put them in your yoga bag before going off to class. But, before we list the many benefits of yoga blocks, it’s a helpful idea to talk a little about the healthy aspects Yoga, itself.

Yoga Mind/Body Benefits

Yoga practitioners have discovered that habitual yoga practice awakens both mind and body! Doing each pose flawlessly requires your complete attention, and such focus awakens your mental awareness. Regular yoga practice encourages a healthy body through proper breathing for more oxygenation, greater flexibility for ease of motion, added muscle strength for confident movement, and perfect alignment for enhanced energy flow. The goal of yoga practice is to create a union between the body, mind and spirit.

Patience is not only a virtue, it is the “key” to mastering a yoga pose, specially when combined with ample time and commitment. Do not expect perfect poses in the beginning. But, slowly over time, as you practice and make an effort to perform each pose correctly, without pushing yourself too far physically or beating yourself up mentally, you will discover that you are developing flexibility, strength, and energy physically and feeling more peaceful and clear mentally.

The best environment for doing your practice is a clean, peaceful place with a bare floor and practicable wall. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, during your yoga practice. For optimum function, you should not eat for at least 2 hours before practicing. If you find you need to eat, then try to eat something light, such as a piece of fruit, but no more than 1 hour before you start your yoga practice.

Always be mindful of how your body feels, and stop or pause if you encounter any pain or discomfort while undertaking a pose. Then try again.

Yoga props and accessories, such as yoga mats, yoga bolsters, yoga straps, yoga blocks, yoga mat bags, and even a yoga towel are designed to help you in moving deeper into a pose, in performing a perfect pose, and in practicing in a wholesome way.

Yoga Prop Benefits:

Pain relief and body comfort

Prevent injury

Stress relief and relaxation

Encourage appropriate alignment

Enhance movement

Open up the joints

Deepen awareness, development mindfulness

Yoga Blocks

Unfortunately, often before a beginner can start to experience the benefits to mind and body that yoga affords, discomfort in attempting to do some of the yoga poses will make them turn away from a beneficial yoga practice. Yoga blocks can assist anyone, but particularly those just starting out, to feel more comfortable during yoga practice because yoga blocks aid to improve alignment. A case in point, when a standing pose includes one hand being on the floor, flexibility issues arise. For something just starting out, the floor can look a long way down. A yoga block can make up the difference. Think of a yoga block as an extra extension to your arm. While a beginner is in the process of developing flexibility, he or she will still be able to do the standing poses accurately by positioning a hand on a block that’s been positioned appropriately on the floor. A yoga block is a wonderful transitional aid.Â Also, several sitting poses specifically require a yoga block.Â A yoga block aids you in going a lot farther in your practice, and maybe even in your life. Who could ask for more from something so “square.”

Yoga blocks come in a variety of materials. To name a few: Foam blocks are durable and lightweight, an easy add to your yoga mat bag! Wooden blocks are also not heavy and hollow, yet essentially indestructible (even Fido would find one hard to destroy!). And, then there is the environmentally friendly cork block.Â An extra bonus is that the natural texture of the cork gives a little extra traction.

Yoga blocks are generally sold separately but, for utility, you’ll likely want to buy several.