Yoga blocks.. should I bother with them?

[mashpotato10]

Are they useful for inflexible beginners? Any particular brand? Or are they more of a gimmick?

Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Put two paperback books under your head, then take them away. More comfortable with or without? Then sit on the books, legs crossed, and again take them away. If either of these positions is easier for you with the books, then a block is a good idea.

I've been doing yoga for six years and use my blocks all the time for elbow balance, elephant trunk pose and shoulder strengthening. They are also good to bring the floor closer to you in triangle, half moon etc. My blocks are cork have had them for years and bring to every yoga class. For me a strap and blocks are essential.

Yes deffo get a block, even my teacher uses them sometimes!

Yes absolutely make an investment! I've been practicing yoga for 6 years now and find a block good to sit on, and bricks are to help me get the correct alignment for all sorts of poses.

I’ve been practising for a few months & find the bricks really helpful for balance in triangle & similar poses.

I'm very inflexible and they take the stress out of positions like forward bends that leave me hanging in the air a good 6 inches off the ground.

Blocks are fabulous for yin yoga - definitely get some, they cost very little and they’re so useful.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.yogajournal.com/.amp/blog/10-ways-to-use-blocks-to-advance-your-yoga-practice

Agree, blocks are super useful and not a gimmick at all. I like the cork ones from Decathlon.

They’re only worth it if you are really really infexible.

Totally disagree Boggles blocks are useful to everyone. Great for heart opening poses lying on your back and positioning near shoulder blades and head.

They’re only worth it if you are really really inflexible

Nope. Any yoga teacher will tell you otherwise.

I see lots of people not using blocks in class who should. They create space so you can get proper alignment in all sorts of postures. Plus as people have said, good for restorative and yin.

Using blocks revolutionised my practice! I got a cheapo set from sports direct for under a fiver I believe. Totally worth it.

They can also be really useful if you have short arms! I went to my first Mysore class this morning & the teacher suggested I put my hands on bricks for that pose right at the end of the Ashtanga primary sequence where you sit cross legged & lift yourself up. It made ALL the difference.

In Iyengar yoga we use props A LOT. Blocks, belts, chairs, the wall. It's all about very precise alignment in the postures.

Definite yes to blocks from me too. Yeah you can make do without but time on your mat is time for you. I upgraded from the chunky books I was using and wonder why I didn’t invest sooner. I say invest, they were peanuts, but, ya know! I also asked for a bolster for Christmas this year. So nice for reclined poses. Again just upgrades time on my mat. Would deffo recommend!