Everything you need to know about Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are probably the most used prop in yoga classes. (Well, if you don’t count the yoga mat, of course!)

And yet, many beginner yogis are a little confused about the use and value of these little bricks. Why do we actually use them? And does it make sense for you to get your own? And if yes, what type should you get? What size?

So many questions!

But don’t you worry! You can find all the answers here. And you even get some block exercises you can try right away.

So to get the full rundown on everything you need to know about yoga blocks: Just read through this article. You’ll come out an absolute pro and have all your questions answered!

In this article:

• What yoga blocks are good for
• Are yoga blocks worth it?
• What are the best yoga blocks
• What size yoga blocks do you need?
• 10 Yoga block exercises

Disclosure: Some of the links below are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What are yoga blocks good for?

So first of all, you’ll need to know what a yoga block is used for. The answer is: a lot!

The most common way to use it is for making your arms longer in standing poses. Most of us don’t have the flexibility to easily touch the floor or our toes in a forward fold, for example. A couple of yoga blocks can “bring the floor to you”, so to speak.

Related: How do I get more flexible for yoga? 3 steps

Another thing yoga blocks are good for is to use them as a prop in restorative yoga poses. I personally loooove to practice supported fish pose with a block under my shoulder blades. Such a nice heart opener!

And lastly, you can also use them for strength-building yoga poses. (You’ll find an example of that down below!)

Yoga block benefits

So to summarise, these are the benefits of using yoga blocks in your practice:

• make it easier to practice yoga poses with proper alignment
• can be used as a prop for restorative yoga & deep stretches
• make advanced poses accessible way earlier in your yoga journey
• extend your range of motion, ie they “extend” your arms
• can make strength-building poses more intense

How do beginners use yoga blocks?

For beginners, yoga blocks are a god-sent! They make all kinds of yoga poses accessible even for the most inflexible beginner yogis.

As a beginner, you want to start with your yoga blocks in the highest orientation. As you become more flexible, you can turn your blocks to the side, and then eventually flat.

(Scroll down to find some beginner yoga block stretches!)

Related: Why can’t I touch my toes? Reasons & solution!

When to use yoga blocks

Whenever you notice that you’d have to give up proper alignment in a yoga pose, use a block to help you align better. All the other ways to use yoga blocks are nice to have, but this one is important!

You never ever want to sacrifice good alignment for the looks of a pose. Health over looks any day!

Related: I can’t do butterfly stretch – What now?

Are yoga blocks worth it?

So by now you’ve already learned quite a bit about yoga blocks. In my opinion, it is pretty clear that yoga blocks are totally worth it!

Yet, different people have different needs. So let’s dig into that a little deeper.

Are yoga blocks necessary?

Do you have to use yoga blocks in your practice? Absolutely not. You can modify poses in other ways, too. Or you could use one of these yoga block alternatives.

I’ve done that myself in my early days of my yoga practice, when I didn’t have a penny to invest. Now though, I wouldn’t give back my yoga blocks! I am using them almost every day, and they definitely work better than any of the alternatives.

So if you are serious about practicing yoga at home, I would definitely invest in a “proper” set of yoga blocks. They are really affordable, and they’ll serve you for a long time!

Related: 7 possible Yoga block substitutes

Do I need one or two yoga blocks?

For many poses, you’ll need two yoga blocks. In most cases, they are used to make your arms longer, and you have two of those, too.

There are also poses where you only need one yoga block, but to make things easier, I recommend you just get two.

They don’t set you back much, and this way you enough blocks in any case.

How do I choose a yoga block?

So now its time to buy your own set of yoga blocks! Unfortunately, you’ll be hit with so many variations, it can be hard to make a decision. Different materials, different brands, different colours… And then there are also different sizes of yoga blocks?

Cue the overwhelm!

Again, don’t worry! Take a breath, and we’ll go through the two things to consider when buying a yoga block! (Yes, only two. The rest doesn’t actually matter!)

I am talking about the material and the size of your blocks!

1. Yoga block material

The first thing you’ll need to decide about is the material of your blocks. There are some options, but the main two materials are cork and foam.

While both of these materials make for great blocks, there are some important differences.

Cork vs foam yoga blocks

So let’s look at the benefits of cork vs the benefits of foam yoga blocks!

Foam is a very affordable material, and can easily be customized with different colors. So if you like to color-match your yoga props, you can go all out with these! Unfortunately, they also stain quite easily, so you’ll have to take care of that.

Foam blocks can get quite slippery, too. So if you’re into a yoga style that makes you sweat a lot, like Vinyasa yoga or even hot yoga, this might become a problem.

Lastly, foam yoga blocks are super light, making them your perfect travel companion. (Luggage fees, anyone?) They also adapt a little bit to your body when you put weight on them.

Cork blocks, on the other hand, are firmer and heavier than foam blocks. This way they can provide way more stability, and carry significantly more weight.

And while they only come in that typical cork color, they don’t stain at all. (Well, don’t pour wine on them. I meant they don’t stain from using them as intended!)

Cork as a material is way more eco-friendly than foam. For me, that is a super important criterion. Unfortunately, cork is also more expensive as a material.

So, to summarise: both foam and cork blocks have their advantages. It is about your priorities.

I personally prefer cork and would buy cork again. (I probably won’t need to, though, as my blocks seem to be seriously indestructible. I use them A LOT and they still look brand new!)

Cork vs foam yoga blocks graphic

2. What size yoga blocks do I need?

Secondly, there are different yoga block sizes.

The standard yoga blocks are 3-inch and 4-inch yoga blocks. This translates to yoga block dimensions of 3″ x 6″ x 9″ and 4″ x 6″ x 9″, respectively.

If you’re more fluent in the metric system: This means 3-inch blocks have dimensions of 7.5 cm x 15 cm x 23 cm and 4-inch blocks have 10 cm x 15 cm x 23 cm.

The 4-inch blocks work for pretty much anything you could need. Unless you are really tall. Then maybe you’ll want to go on the hunt for some extra big yoga blocks. But you’ll probably be fine with the 4-inch one in their highest orientation, too!

How many yoga blocks do I need?

You might have noticed that most yoga blocks are sold in pairs – for a good reason. While for some exercises you’ll only need one block, there will be many more where two are necessary.

You’ll rarely need more than two though. In cases where you’ll need a lot of support, yoga bolsters are usually the better choice.

So if you’re not sure, in the beginning, getting two yoga blocks is the best option!

What are the best yoga blocks?

So now that you know how to choose a yoga block that fits your needs, let’s look at the best yoga blocks you can order right now! (Exciting, isn’t it?)

The best cork blocks

As I said, I personally much prefer cork blocks to foam ones, so I’ll start by showing you my favorite of these!

Gaiam All-natural Cork Yoga Block* – best price/quality-ration

Gaiam reliably churns out high-quality yoga props and accessories. Their cork block is no exception!

It is really sturdy and will work extremely well to support you in restorative yoga poses. Make sure to select the right size, as it comes in both 3-inches and 4-inches!

Also important to note that these blocks are usually sold separately, not in pairs. So keep that in mind if you want two of them!

You can get the Gaiam Cork Yoga block here!*

Manduka Premium Cork Yoga block* – the fancy one

Manduka is like the Ferrari of yoga brands. You know you’ll get amazing quality and their products will last you forever. But this also means you’ll have to pay a little more.

If you already know you’re in it for the long haul, it’s definitely worth it to invest in top-quality products. If you just want to try things out for now, maybe put these premium blocks on your wishlist for later!

Also here, keep in mind that the blocks are sold individually, and you’ll have to order 2 explicitly to have a set.

Order Manduka cork blocks here!*

YOGU cork yoga blocks set* – the set

The YOGU cork blocks can be ordered in a set of two, so no need to order twice. Just pick the right option, and you’re good to go!

As you’d expect from cork, they are really sturdy and will not give in, even when you put quite some weight on them.

Order the YOGU cork blocks here!*

The best foam blocks

Gaiam Essentials Yoga blocks (set of two)*

In the ranking of the best foam blocks Gaiam comes out as the winner yet again when it comes to the price-quality ratio.

Keep in mind that these foam blocks are super lightweight! They are amazing as travel companions and to help you get proper alignment.

If you prefer a little more resistance, check out the Manduka foam blocks below. (For any really “heavy-duty” things, you’ll need to use cork blocks anyway.)

You’ll get two 4-inch yoga blocks in this set – Order it here!*

Manduka High Density Foam Blocks*

The Manduka High Density Foam Blocks are, as the name suggests, much firmer than the Gaiam ones. You’ll also have to pay a little more for them.

If you want something between light foam and the sturdiness of cork, these 4-inch-blocks will be right up your alley!

Order them here!* (And make sure to get two!)

10 Yoga blocks exercises

Okay, yoga block secured? Then let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to use yoga blocks!

Yoga block poses

To start out, let’s look at some common postures in which yoga blocks can help with your alignment!

Standing forward fold

Many yogis are intimidated by the forward fold because they think they have to touch the floor. In reality, this pose is supposed to stretch your hamstrings in a safe way.

By using yoga blocks, you can do this stretch and maintain good posture at the same time. That means hinging from your hips and not curving your lower back.

Related: Step by step guide to a good forward fold

Downward dog

Yes, even the popular downward facing dog pose can be modified using blocks!

Many people focus on the stretch in the back of their legs when in Downward dog. (The infamous struggle of trying to get the heels to touch the ground.) This often means that they forget about their spine – not good!

By putting blocks under your hands in this pose, you’ll be able to really focus on lengthening the spine and keeping the neck “free”. You don’t want any tension there!

(For more details on how to practice downward facing dog with good form, check this step-by-step guide to down dog!)

It can also help prevent any strain on your wrists, if those aren’t able to sustain your weight safely yet.

Related: How to modify yoga poses for bigger bodies

Half-moon pose

Half-moon pose has so many things happening at the same time. Balancing, stretching, and even a little bit of twisting!

Even for the more flexible among us, this usually means toppling over a few times before nailing this pose. And for the not quite so flexible, using a block REALLY helps in approaching this asana.

By leaning on a block, you can totally focus on correct alignment, and work on this pose without hurting yourself. (Yep, that has happened!)

Make sure to keep your spine as straight as possible, no collapsing on one side. And stack your hips right on top of each other!

If you’re practicing half moon with a foam block, make sure to not put too much weight on the block. It might not be sturdy enough!

Yoga block stretches

Now let’s talk about the rather restorative part of working with blocks: the stretches!

Yoga block back stretches

My favorite stretches with yoga blocks are the ones for my back. I do not have a naturally bendy spine, and feeling my chest open in these restorative poses is just amazing!

I’m usually doing the following two yoga block back stretches:

Yoga block under shoulder blades

The first variation is supported fish pose on a block. I practice this one regularly, as it improves my posture and somehow, weirdly also makes me much more confident.

(Honestly, I strongly prefer supported fish pose with block to fish pose without a block!)

To do this pose, first sit on your mat, your legs outstretched in front of you. Put two blocks behind you. You might only need one, but you’ll want to have both handy, just in case.

Then slowly lower your upper body down backward. You might have to adjust the block positioning a little bit to get it where it’s supposed to go. The lower edges of your shoulder blades both should rest on the block. (Definitely start with the lowest setting of your block here. You can later still work your way up!)

Keep your leg muscles firming inward, so that your legs don’t fall out to the side. Now you can either drop the crown of your head towards the floor or use the second block. You definitely don’t want to feel any strain on your neck! Better safe than sorry!

Yoga block under sacrum

The other block-assisted backbend I love to practice is bridge pose. For that, come into bridge pose with your feet parallel. Then place a block right under your sacrum. Not on your spine, or your tailbone, right in-between.

Again, start with the lowest setting on your block. This is supposed to be comfortable!

I like to keep my arms alongside the body, and simply rest in this pose for a few minutes.

Yoga block hip opener

I love yoga hip openers! Yet, when my hips are really tight, I need to use a yoga block to get into them while keeping healthy alignment.

Yogic squat

The yogic squat is one of those poses that I can hardly ever do without a prop. The idea is to keep your spine straight and upright while squatting with your knees wide out to the side.

Only problem is… my heels lift up so much that I inevitably lose my balance. Unless I put some yoga blocks under them, that is.

With the added stability of the blocks, you can fully focus on stretching your inner thighs and hips.

Pidgeon pose

Pidgeon pose is another hip opener where you can really improve your alignment by using yoga blocks.

For most of use, our hips won’t fully touch the floor when coming into this pose. Yet, we want to keep our hips leveled, without pushing one hip bone further forward than the other.

By putting a yoga block under the hip of the bent leg, you take some weight of your knees. And, at the same time, you’ll have a much easier time keeping your hips even!

Reclined knee to chest on block

If you’re dealing with a really tight psoas muscle, this one is for you! First of all, it’s really relaxing because you get to lay back over your block. And secondly, it gives you a really nice psoas stretch!

Lay back over a yoga block on lowest setting. The yoga block should be right under your sacrum and your legs should be outstretched.

Then start pulling one knee up towards your chest. Hold onto it with your hands and let the other leg dangle down towards the floor. Try keeping the knee of that leg straight without straining too much.

You’ll want to feel a stretch in the front part of your hip. Make sure to repeat this on the other side.

Reclined bound angle pose

Reclined bound angle pose is my go-to pose when I need to relax a little, have cramps, or simply want to relieve some stress.

Related: How to lower cortisol levels with restorative Yoga

By using a couple of yoga blocks as props, you can actually have a deeper release in your hips. It’s not about how deep your knees sink. It’s about how deeply they can relax.

So lay back, let your knees fall out to the side, and then place yoga blocks on either side. You’ll want to feel a light stretch in your hips. Light!

Related: I can’t do butterfly stretch – What now?

Yoga block for splits

Lastly, if you’re working towards the splits, you’ll definitely need blocks! Even if you’re pretty close to the floor already, blocks will help you balance and focusing on proper alignment.

You can use them to make your arms “longer”, or put them under your hips to allow for a deeper hamstring stretch.

Share this ultimate yoga block guide with someone!

I hope all of your questions about yoga blocks are answered now. If this was helpful to you, please share it with someone else!

Enjoy your practice!

*These links are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.