All About Blocks

For roughly the first decade of my yoga practice, my approach to blocks was, “I don’t need no stinkin’ blocks.” I muscled my way through off-balance and out-of-integrity postures, but I’d be damned if I’d use a block. Until I did. Now, if blocks are available, I’m grabbing two; in fact, my dream practice is a block at every corner of my mat. So what changed?

As a newer yogi, I considered blocks some sort of handicap and only to be used if one really needed them — as a last resort. Now I consider blocks my support staff. I feel elevated (literally and figuratively), supported, and grateful for these random blocks of cork…or foam…or wood.

Which leads me to a review of the different kinds of blocks, and the pros and cons of each.

Wooden Blocks

Wooden blocks are sturdy. However, their stability can be compromised on a wooden floor. Wooden blocks are great for balancing postures (half moon) and postures at the wall (triangle). The downfall to wooden blocks is the sharp edge. In my classes, I often start in a supine heart opener with 1–2 blocks behind the thoracic spine and back of the head. Wooden blocks are NOT the most ideal to use in this way.

Cork Blocks

Cork Blocks are the Goldilocks of blocks — not too hard, not too soft. Cork block are “just right.” Cork blocks can be used in a supine…