Top 18 Yoga Blocks In 2023 | The Buying Guide

BUYING GUIDE

There are several reasons why a yogi might want a pair of blocks with which to practice. Some styles, like Iyengar, utilize accessories to increase the stretch of some poses.

Check out some of the best yogi YouTubers and see how they use accessories for inspiration.

Apart from that, you must consider the profile yoga blocks have and their influence on your spiritual practice. In this buying guide, we’ll tell you about the characteristics you have to pay attention to before purchasing one.

Check out our complete guide to yoga to learn a little more about your path, if you’re just beginning.

Material

The materials that yoga blocks are made from are nothing new. They’re similar to the ones from which yoga mats are made and are typically grouped into 3 categories: foam, cork, and wood. Depending on the environment you’re thinking about doing yoga in and the type of experience you’re expecting to get, your choice will differ.

– Foam is the most common material used for crafting yoga blocks. It’s cheap, lightweight, and does the job well. The best part – you can bring it with you whenever you visit a yoga studio and be confident in it retaining its original shape no matter how squished it gets in your yoga bag.

The only downside of foam blocks is the ‘sinking’ feeling some yogis complain about and the relatively short (compared to cork and wood options) life span. Other than that, it’s a great choice for beginners and experts alike.

– Next up is a cork yoga block. It appeals to a lot of yogis because of its eco-friendly origins that fit right in with yogis’ lifestyle choices and beliefs. Cork offers similar to foam benefits but is known for providing more stability. It’s a middle ground between the sponge-like foam and rigid wood that comes at an affordable price.

Cork blocks are more difficult to pack in your gym bag, but if the bag is spacious enough, you’ll have no trouble stuffing it in. For this reason, cork options are the primary choice of yoga teachers who need a solid collection on-hand or at-home practitioners who keep their blocks within their four walls.

– Wood isn’t the most popular material but is nevertheless a solid choice–pun intended. It has been around the longest and has thus a good reputation among traditional yogis who prefer their yoga blocks to be as firm as possible. The biggest benefit of wood yoga blocks is the unparalleled stability that can’t be achieved by yoga blocks made from other materials.

The biggest drawback of wood blocks is their hefty price tag and weight. They would, therefore, be best suited for those who – just like cork yoga block owners – practice yoga at home or teach yoga at a studio where the blocks don’t leave the room.

The Shape of Them

You’d think yoga blocks have only one shape – rectangular. And while the majority do have a rectangular shape, this isn’t the only one there is. There are egg-shaped blocks and those with beveled edges too. Carry on reading to find out about the different purposes each one serves.

• The basic rectangular-shaped yoga block is the one you’ll find in almost every yoga studio and every yoga equipment shop. It’s easy to grip and is thus suitable for any and every yoga pose. The stability and versatility provided by these yoga blocks are some of the greatest too.

• Egg-like yoga blocks are distinguished by their rounded edges that offer good back support. They are rarely used on their own and are often purchased in addition to rectangular blocks for additional functionality.

• Beveled edged blocks are best suited for seated yoga poses and reclined positions that require a better grip. Just like the egg-shaped options, they are used as a supplement to the rectangular blocks and provide some extra functionality that the rectangular blocks don’t offer. The non-straight shape of these wedge yoga blocks makes them ideal for bodyweight exercises too.

Yoga Block Size

The choice of the perfect yoga block size will depend, in big part, on the yoga poses you’re practicing the most and your physical dimensions like height.

This means that if you’re of average height and aren’t that adventurous when it comes to yoga poses, yoga blocks with 3 x 6 x 9 (inches) dimensions will be your best bet. This size is most commonly found in yoga studios because of its versatility – no matter what yoga pose you’re striking, chances are a yoga block with these proportions will come in handy.

For those who are taller, yoga blocks with the following measurements – 4 x 6.75 x 12 inches – will perform better. They will provide you with extra support when doing seated/standing poses and are an overall much better fit (especially if you struggle with tight hamstrings).