How many yoga blocks do you need for yoga practice?

Yoga blocks as a prop were invented in the early 1970s and were originally only offered in wood as a material. This had a lot of drawbacks, but they had so many benefits as a prop for regular yoga practitioners that they ended up becoming a staple for beginners and advanced yogis alike. So, how many yoga blocks do you need for your daily practice?

How many yoga blocks do you need for yoga practice?

Yoga blocks are a relatively inexpensive piece of yoga equipment and you can definitely afford the same even during the initial stages of your practice. The average person needs at least two yoga blocks for their yoga practice. The actual number you will need depends on the different yoga poses that you plan to perform.

Since most of these yoga blocks are durable you will not really need to buy replacement for them regularly.

One thing that you have to keep in mind is the fact that these blocks are available in different sizes and you might have to experiment with different sizes and different materials before you choose the blocks which are perfect for you.

What is the purpose of yoga blocks?

The main purpose of using yoga blocks during your practice is to get support which is required when you are trying new yogasanas. Usually new yoga practitioners struggle with poses like the backbends, bhujangasan and the plank.

These blocks tend to provide an additional level of support to these yogis by lending extra stability. Now yoga blocks have become an essential element in yoga sessions around the world since they enable people to stabilize themselves and extend their poses without worrying about falling down or slipping.

They also help in improving the alignment of the body. They can be placed under your hands, feet or under your buttocks so that you can take the maximum benefit from different yoga poses while keeping the body safe. They are also quite easy to carry around due to their lightweight and because they easily fit in a backpack.

Initially available only with wood as the material for the blocks, they have evolved and now they are available in lightweight materials as well which offer better grip and comfort.

These blocks come in a plethora of sizes, materials, and colors and you can choose the one that works for you depending on your preferences.

Are yoga blocks worth it?

Here are some benefits that you can reap by incorporating them in your regular yoga practice. Considering the fact that they are quite affordable, I can definitely say yoga blocks are worth their price.

Used to help with stability while tackling new poses

People with limited mobility, new yoga practitioners who are trying to tackle the more difficult poses or even people who are trying yoga for the first time can all benefit from the use of yoga blocks.

These blocks are quite simple in design but they add another layer of complexity to your yoga practice by providing additional stability and better grip.

They are helpful for beginners, intermediate and for advanced yogis

They are used mostly by people who have just started with their yoga practice but they can be immensely helpful even for intermediate and advanced yogis. They can provide invaluable support for a lot of different poses including the advanced ones like splits or Sarvangasana.

Help in the yoga practice of people with limited mobility

People who suffer from some injuries or senior yoga practitioners usually gain a lot by use of props like yoga blocks since the provide them with an extended range of motion and they can practice their initial yoga poses with them.

They help in developing perfect alignment in your body

You might have been practicing yoga for a long time but even then we all need help to ensure that we are not practicing yoga incorrectly. They help in ensuring that we are able to develop perfect alignment while practicing different yoga poses.

They are a very cost effective piece of yoga equipment

Are these blocks use only by beginners or you can use them at advanced levels as well?

As I mentioned before yoga blocks are primarily used by beginners. For beginners, these devices help them to overcome their physical limitations and uncertainty that they face when they are just starting with their practice. Even the poses which are more difficult and usually seem impossible to achieve become more feasible with their support.

After using yoga blocks a few times, you will have the required capability to achieve the same poses on your own without any support.

The requirement to use these blocks reduces as you master more yoga poses. This is because, as you start getting more flexibility and more confidence on your body’s ability to hold different poses, you stop feeling the need of having yoga blocks for support.

However you can still use them if you need help with some particularly difficult poses or you want to develop better alignment in your body.

What are yoga blocks made of?

Yoga blocks which were initially available with wood as a material. However now there are a lot of options which are made of lighter and study materials like bamboo, foam, recycled phone and wood.

Each of these Materials has its own merits and demerits but one thing that is common across all is that they are are affordable even for a beginner.

Wood

Wooden blocks usually provide the maximum hardness among all materials. Usually they have a smooth finish and provide sufficient sturdiness for practitioners. But a lack of of softness might make them an imperfect choice for people who are the starting their yoga practice.

Bamboo

Bamboo is also being used as an alternative to wooden blocks because it also provide similar functionalities. It is also and environment friendly option.

Foam

EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam blocks are extremely popular since it is a recyclable eco friendly and durable material. The blocks made from EVA foam are quite affordable and one of the most preferred choices by all yogis.

In addition to EVA foam, there are a lot of blocks which are made up of recycled foam as well. These blocks are also equally affordable and environment friendly.

Cork

Cork yoga blocks are manufactured from the material of the cork oak tree. This block is quite environment friendly. The cork yoga blocks provide an additional anti-slip protection where they perform better than the other materials.

How much do these blocks cost?

The actual price of a yoga block depends on the size of the block and the material that we choose. However most of the blocks are quite durable and would last quite long.

Conclusion

For regular yoga practice by beginners or by advance yogis, yoga blocks are an invaluable option. Typically one person will require two (2) yoga blocks for their practice. This can be placed on the mat on the studio floor where they provide support during different yoga poses.