The first time I tried yoga was in my sophomore year of high school in 1998. At this time, my dance teacher had us warm up and cool down with yoga via a VHS tape which aired a scantily clad, flexible woman in a full body one-piece leotard. Needless to say, props were not a “thing” during this first encounter with yoga. Once I began practicing in a yoga studio in 2010, I was introduced to the yoga block and my entire practice changed.
Luckily for me, I had no other teachings of yoga aside from the videotapes I used since graduating high school — and into college. This meant I was introduced to the yoga block from a full beginner’s mindset and had no other inputs of how I think props in yoga should or shouldn’t be used.
It wasn’t until later on that I learned other people may have a different mindset when it comes to utilizing props. Such that if one uses them, they are not getting the full posture of yoga. Or that props are a crutch in practice. To me, these are actually the limiting beliefs because props in yoga — specifically the yoga block — can become an advantage for us as practitioners to go deeper in our practice than ever before.
Here is how:
- Yoga Blocks Bring The Floor To You
When we utilize a block in yoga, specifically for Downward Dog, we have the advantage of bringing the floor up to us. This assists us especially if we have shorter than average arms. The yoga blocks allow us to even out our upper body to lower body ratio while in this inverted pose and can allow us to actually feel our feet on the Earth as opposed to being high up on our toes while in Downward Dog.
- Yoga Blocks Create Awareness
Do you ever get into Chair pose and feel your knees squish together? If so, you may be holding Chair in a way that is not as advantageous for your body. When we do this we are taking our weight to the inside of our legs and creating extra weight to the joints of our knees instead of utilizing our quadriceps at the top of our legs. When we place a block in between our knees, we can then press them into the block and create enough space so that our quads and inner thigh muscles will be activated. Which is what we want to experience in Chair.
- Yoga Blocks Help With Balance
When days feel off and your balance seems a bit unstable, a yoga block may be the tool you need. Imagine taking Tree pose and attempting to balance on one foot with your opposite foot pressing heavily into your calf, now for some reason you feel off and can not seem to keep your foot up. This happens, no big deal! Here is how you can make it happen with little effort so that you may concentrate on your balancing leg, press into the four corners of your foot and feel your ankle strengthen — place a block next to your standing foot, step your opposite foot on the block and rest your heel on your calf. This will allow you to begin to feel the pose instead of fighting through it.
- Yoga Blocks Offer A Deep Back Bend
Have you ever held Bridge Pose for an excruciating amount of time only to get out of it and whimper that your shoulders hurt. Hi! My name is Brittney and I did yoga as a teenager meaning I did all of the yoga ineffectively and often, hello Ego! Learn from me friend, when you use a block in Bridge, it’s life changing!
Well, it’s far more comfortable and allows you to hold it longer, with ease.
There are three ways to use a yoga block in Bridge – I call them “Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear” styles.
“Baby Bear” The lowest positioning of the yoga block slid underneath your low back so that your sacrum rests gently on the large section of a flat block.
“Mama Bear” It’s just right, the mid-positioning of the block with your sacrum resting on the long edge of the block. The block sits horizontal to the ground.
“Papa Bear” The full back bend which I recommend attempting when your body is warm. Place the block at its highest level, sacrum rests on the short edge of the block and the block sits vertical to the ground.
It is completely liberating when we realize the true value of yoga props. Our practice and life will change as we begin to reach new and exciting possibilities within our yoga practice. I am excited for what you will experience when you begin to play with your own Yoga Block.
Enjoy a quick ten minute video guide on how to use a yoga block 4 different ways:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vrl8q9ak2k
BRITTNEY HILLER
Brittney is the creator of the Effervescence Yoga brand and the owner of Effervescense Yoga Spa in the beautiful resort town of Beaufort, South Carolina. Brittney is passionate about leading a life full of laughter and joy! That is why she is also a certificated laughter yoga teacher & laughter yoga leadership trainer. She is also a Follow-Your-Passion Coach and the producer and head talent of Flowcountry, the Lowcountry’s only streaming yoga show!
