BASICS
Buddha Blocks have multiple uses, but overall, they help yogis form and hold poses. These handy props can be used in either seated or standing forms and are especially helpful in improving flexibility.
LENGTHEN
Here are a few different ways you can use yoga blocks in different poses to get better alignment and therefore get a deeper stretch:
STRENGTHEN
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for building strength:
L SIT ARM BALANCE
CROW POSE
SUPPORT
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for support:
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
FOUNDATIONAL POSES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for foundation:
STANDING POSES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect while standing:
BALANCING POSTURES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for balancing:
TOE SQUAT
BACKBENDS POSES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for backbends poses:
TWISTS POSES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for twists poses:
CORE EXERCISES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for core exercises:
REACH AND CHURCH
REACH AND CHURCH
BICYCLES
BICYCLES
HIP OPENERS
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for hip openers:
BUTTERFLY
DEER POSE
YOGI SQUAT
DOUBLE PIGEON
DOUBLE PIGEON
RECLINE BOUND ANGLE
RECLINE COUD ANGLE
RAINBOW WARRIOR
HAMSTRINGS & FOLDS
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for hamstrings & folds:
DRILLS POSES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for drills poses:
ARM BALANCES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for arm balances:
SURRENDER POSTURES
Here are a few yoga poses with blocks that are perfect for surrender postures:
WHAT IS BUDDHA BLOCK?
Buddha blocks — blocks that can be made of foam, cork, rubber, or wood — are one of the most popular props that you can use in yoga practices to help with your poses. These blocks are typically used to extend the arms but have other uses, too, such as supporting the back, hips, and head.
Using yoga blocks can help you feel more comfortable practicing yoga and bring you more enjoyment.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A BUDDHA BLOCK?
Buddha blocks are simply tools to help you find proper alignment and engagement. They are helpful to beginners, those with physical limitations, and those who are recovering from or prone to injuries.
Some of the benefits that come with using yoga blocks include:
- Supplementing range of motion
- Correcting alignment
- Helping yoga beginners
- Supporting muscle engagement
- Adding support at low, medium, and high positions
Most people think of blocks as supports to make poses more accessible, but there are just as many ways to uplevel and intensify your practice using blocks. When you use a block correctly, it should help you move safely towards your edge.
WHY USE BUDDHA BLOCK?
Buddha blocks can be used in a variety of ways, but in the end, to benefit you,
it really boils down to three main things: lengthening, strengthening, and support.
Lengthen
This refers to correcting your alignment and deepening the stretch that you are in.
When you are in a pose that you feel you are struggling to stay in, you need to be using blocks. When you do this, you are most likely not in good alignment and therefore not obtaining the full benefit of the pose.
Using buddha blocks will help prevent you from over straining yourself, improve your alignment, and get deeper into your poses to become more flexible. Pretty much anytime your hands are unable to touch the ground in a pose, it would be beneficial for you to use yoga blocks.
Yes, there are alternatives such as resting your hands on your shins or ankle instead, but blocks provide much more stability and comfort than doing that, which in turn helps you get deeper into the pose and improve your flexibility.
Strengthen
Buddha blocks are a great tool to use to build strength throughout your entire body. A lot of yoga poses are great for improving strength, but you may not be reaping the benefits because you are unable to maintain proper alignment, form, or have not built up enough strength to get into the pose.
Blocks are a great way to force your body into perfect alignment and push yourself to use the correct muscles to stay in the pose. You can also use them to provide you with a little extra support in some challenging poses so you have more control over the severity of the pose, allowing you to build strength effectively.
Support
A lot of yoga poses that are classified as restorative can actually be pretty strenuous and ineffective if you lack flexibility. There are several ways you can use blocks in each pose to give you the support you need to deepen into the pose and and unleash the tightness.
WHY BUY BUDDHA BLOCK?
Back in the 70s when yoga blocks were first introduced, they were most often made out of wood.
While wooden blocks still exist today, most common yoga blocks are made out of foam or cork.
Buddha blocks are great for beginners and anyone looking to practice restorative postures. If you often find yourself reaching for a buddha block to support your chest, forearms, or forehead in deep stretches, buddha blocks are for you.
Buddha block offer more stability and grip. They provide more comfort and cushioning. They are also versatile and lightweight.