Unleash the full potential of your yoga practice with the versatile yoga block! Discover 5 creative ways to use this prop to deepen your stretches, improve your balance, and modify poses for ultimate comfort and progress.

Are you thinking about buying yoga blocks, already have some at home, or see them at the yoga studio but have no idea how to use them? There are literally hundreds of poses that yoga blocks can be used in. Let me show you five of the most common ways that yoga blocks can be used to support your yoga practice, with some examples of which poses they can be used in. Plus a bonus guide at the end on how to choose the best yoga block for you.

The examples below are by no means all the ways that yoga blocks can be used in that given pose. You can get creative with how to use the blocks. There is no right or wrong way! Just discover what works best for you.

1. Support & Balance

If you can’t quite reach the floor, then bring the floor to you! Yoga blocks can be used to provide a secure foundation whether you are a beginner needing to reach the ground in forward folds, or a seasoned yogi seeking extra support in tricky standing poses. They allow you to hold poses with confidence, improve your alignment, and ultimately, deepen your practice.

Just be aware not to place your whole weight onto the block. You still want to train your muscles to hold the pose, so that one day, you can take your hands off and do the pose without the blocks.

2. Stretching

Yoga blocks shine as your personal stretching companions. There are so many options of how to use them whilst stretching, from filling in the space between the mat and you, to literally propping you up, and to helping you find the right alignment in a pose. They help you reach a deeper stretch safely, without forcing your body beyond its limits, promoting greater flexibility and range of motion.

And forget the misconception that blocks are just for beginners. They can become a tool for exploration if you are already flexible, allowing you to deepen your stretches and push your limits safely (see the Seated Forward Fold #2 example).

3. Activation

The third way is using the yoga block as a tool to activate your muscles. By adding extra weight or creating leverage points, yoga blocks increase the challenge in poses, forcing your core and target muscles to work harder to maintain proper form. This can help strengthen and define muscles you might not normally target in your yoga practice.

4. Massage

Yes, yoga blocks can become multi-purpose tools for self-massage! The firmer blocks are especially good for this as their firm surface is perfect for applying pressure to tight spots and sore muscles. By placing the block between your body and the floor or wall, you can control the intensity and target specific areas like the back, glutes, or shoulders, helping to release tension and improve circulation.

5. Arm Balances & Inversions

Yoga blocks are your supportive allies in arm balances and inversions. They can bridge the gap between your current flexibility and the demands of the pose. By placing them under your hands, head, or feet, blocks elevate you slightly, making poses like Crow or Forearm stand more accessible. This allows you to build confidence and strength while practicing proper alignment, before eventually taking flight without the block's assistance.

Which Yoga Block Is The Best?

Yoga blocks come in different materials, sizes, and even shapes, so which one is best for you? It all comes down to personal preference. I like the cork yoga blocks best because they are the most eco-friendly option, they have the perfect firmness for a massage, and they have a good weight for using as a support. They don’t get knocked over in balancing poses as easily as some of the lightweight options.

Material & durability: Yoga blocks are generally made of foam, cork, or wood. Foam blocks are ultra lightweight and have a softer texture, but they are the least durable of the three. I have definitely seen foam yoga blocks in studios that have corners chipped off from high use. Wood blocks are harder and sturdier, but also the heaviest. They tend to lose their grip as you sweat. Cork yoga blocks fall somewhere in the middle, but the grip remains even when sweating, and its durability is unmatched.

Size: The most common yoga block size is 3 x 6 x 9 inches (roughly 8 x 15 x 23 cm), but you can also find thinner or thicker ones. Thicker blocks may be useful if you are less flexible, as there is more height on one dimension.

One or two blocks? I would definitely recommend getting a pair of blocks as it is more versatile. They can support you on both sides in stabilising poses, and they can be stacked if you need extra height. There are also a lot of stretching poses that require two blocks for the most benefits.

Shape: Yoga blocks can come in different shapes, like half moon, or one corner chopped off. But rectangular is the most common and the most diverse. I would definitely recommend to start here before branching out to different shapes.

Price: The price often depends on the material used. Expect to pay more for cork and wood yoga blocks, as well as big brand names.

If you still have questions about how to use yoga blocks, please leave a comment below.