yoga blocks exerciseDo you have challenges of balance and flexibility when practicing yoga? You’re not alone. From experience and work with many individuals I have realized that such people get frustrated because they cannot get to the next levelthis is with regard to practice especially when it comes to the complex asanas.
This can at times become very irritating, and at other times, it may serve as a motivation killer. However, what if you got your hands on a tool that would enable you to access these challenging postures and at the same time boost your techniques? Introducing yoga blocks, your new friend in terms of yoga blocks exercise.
Today, in this article, we will discuss the yoga block exercises to help you show you how to make your yoga exercises even more productive if you are a beginner to advanced level by simply using a simple tool, yoga blocks.
What are Yoga Block Exercises?
Yoga block or block series is a type of exercise that employs yoga blocks as an aid to support or deepen particular positions, or even to replace another asana.
These are blocks attached to one’s body, commonly in foam, cork or wooden type, and are used to extend the body. [1]
Regardless if the person is just starting yoga or if the person is already at an advanced level, yoga block exercises can easily and effectively be modified.
How to Prepare for Yoga Block Exercises,
The main focus is how to use them, so your yoga sessions are more comfortable and effective.
Yoga block helps those that experience difficulty in holding certain postures and also can be used in enhancing certain exercises that can only be done by a selected section of the society.
Due to this yoga block exercise preparation helps in the arrangement of certain exercises in a way that will suit the block best.
Yoga block exercises should be approached with preparations before performing the exercises.
Here’s what you need:
Choose the Right Yoga Block: Choose a block made of a material that is appropriate in accordance to the application you want it for.
What’s more, foam blocks are lighter than other materials but good if you’re new to the sport, on the other hand cork and wooden blocks are steadier and are highly recommended by expert players.
Clear Space: Make sure you are surrounded by enough space to navigate about adequately. A clean and uncluttered environment assists one in keeping their attention in place.
Proper Attire: Make sure you are comfortable and able to move yourself easily wearing stretchy clothing for your body.
Hydration: It is advisable to have a water bottle close so that one can make a drink and carry on with the session.
Warm-Up Exercises for Yoga Block Exercises
Stretching is very important as preparation for the workout. Here are some simple warm-up exercises using a yoga block.
Seated Forward Bend with Block: Sit with your legs stretched out and resting and place it between your feet and the ground.
When folding down, the hands should be placed on the block in order to reach the extent of the stretch.
Cat-Cow Stretch with Block: Begin in a four-point kneel and have the block in between the hands. In cat-cow position, you may apply pressure into the block to feel it working on your shoulders and the tummy.
Child’s Pose with Block: To get the full benefits of the asana, put the block on your forehead or chest to help maintain the body’s weight.
How to Prepare for Yoga Block Exercises
Yoga block exercises are relatively easy to do but, at the same time, require some level of expertise provided below is a guide on how to perform them.
Here’s how you can perform some common exercise blocks yoga, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced:
Supported Bridge Pose: Lay down flat on the back, flex at the hip, and keep the legs perpendicular to the trunk, the feet rested flat on the ground.
Place the sole of the slipper between your sacral chakra in your lower back and the floor. Such an exercise assists in opening the chest and the muscles of the abdomen, specifically the ‘six pack.’’
Revolved Triangle Pose: Put a yoga block in front of your front foot when you are in the position of the yoga pose.
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Sometimes press the hand on the block to have support and to keep your body straight and balanced.;’’
Pigeon Pose with Block: You may need to utilise a yoga block between the hands and the hip in the Pigeon Pose.
This modification is useful for balancing and reducing tension in the hips at the same time which are advantageous for all types of practitioners.
Yoga Block Exercises Benefits
Incorporating yoga blocks into your routine offers numerous benefits:
Enhanced Flexibility: Blocks assist you to get into positions that may be otherwise hard to achieve, they do so as they steadily increase your flexibility.
Better Alignment: By using a block, you can make sure you stand right, thus not posing the risk of falling and getting injured.’
Increased Strength: Some of the exercise blocks that employ the use of the yoga blocks can prove to be quite challenging with regards to strength thus can assist to develop muscles.
Deeper Stretches: By means of the block you can work with deeper penetrations thus making the practice more efficient.
Yoga Block Exercises Modifications
The thing is, yoga blocks are not solely for beginners – they can be useful even for seekers of advanced training.
Here’s how you can modify exercises with blocks for different levels:
Beginner: The block must be at its highest point in order to provide the most support for the dowel.
Intermediate: Reduce the height of the block as you progress through your training because your flexibility and strength increases.
Advanced: Place the block for those hard reaching positions to add a stretching or balance difficulty.
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Tips and Tricks
Consistency is Key: It is advisable to practice with yoga blocks regularly so as to get good outcome.
Listen to Your Body: Never go to the level when you cannot go any further. This particular block can be used to come into poses.
Experiment with Heights: It can be situated in different heights that users need to experiment with in order to determine which height would be most effective with any given postures.
Safety Precautions
Avoid Overstretching: Blocks are intended to help you maintain an alignment not push you into doing things with your body.
Check Stability: Make sure your block is pleced on a solid flat ground to avoid it sliding off.
Breathe: For purpose please make sure that you have a standard breath during the practice to ensure that you are fully concentrated. [2]
Conclusion
To my experience and knowledge in Yoga Block Exercises, I have narrated almost all points in this article. You have to read it and learn it.
The exercises with a yoga block that you place against a firm surface adds value to flexibility, strength, and yoga workout.
These types of exercises with the yoga blocks are suitable for all persons, whether they are newbies or they have mastered all the steps.
Begin practicing them today, and see the quality of your yoga shine to new levels.
Source:
Enos, M. (2021, August 4). 101 ways to use yoga blocks: Beginner to advanced. Yoga Room Hawaii.
Dale, L. (n.d.). 24 ways to use a yoga block in your workout. 24Life.
HealthinPedia Author
Elyce, a Wellness Writer and Content Creator from Adelphi University, is also a Yoga and Meditation Coach, Outdoors Enthusiast, and Breast Cancer Survivor. With over 20 years of experience as an E-RYT 500, she brings a deep dedication to yoga and meditation. Elyce's wealth of knowledge and experience shines through in her role as a teacher, writer, and mentor. She is the co-founder and content creator of the Refined Flow 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, as well as a core faculty member at Omega for 11 years. Additionally, she is a teaching staff member at the Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training.
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