10 Best Yoga Blocks in the Philippines 2021

Yoga blocks are rectangular-shaped bricks crafted with durable materials like cork, foam, or wood. These yoga essentials help students learn advanced asanas and act as a support in performing yoga poses safely without causing injury. These blocks reduce the distance between the students and the floor.

With that said, yoga blocks make challenging poses more convenient and comfortable for beginners and those with physical limitations or injuries. If you're struggling with balancing, using blocks with standing poses can enhance balance as well as build strength. 

These also retain body posture and promote deep breathing. Knowing that restorative yoga classes require you to do poses for a lengthy time, blocks provide support to make advanced poses easier for you.

Yoga blocks all look similar that you'll be perplexed about which one to add to your cart. Depending on your flexibility level and desired yoga poses, there are particular materials, sizes, and shapes to consider to ensure that this prop will significantly help you while practicing asanas. Check out our buying guide to make the best choice.

Durability should come first when choosing a yoga block material. Considering that these props build strength and improve flexibility, ensure that your selected yoga blocks are made of high-quality materials. You can pick between foam, wood, or cork blocks.

When it comes to a comfortable and wallet-friendly yoga block, foam blocks are your best bet. You'll notice most yoga studios use these blocks because they are lightweight and handy for the on-the-go yogi. These blocks are the softest and come in an extensive range of colors, which you can match with your yoga mat. 

In addition, since restorative yoga requires a longer time of holding poses, foam blocks are a better option for these exercises. These blocks gently support your back and pelvis, but the drawback is they can be easily deformed when not properly taken care of. Also, they can't support that much body weight.

Wood blocks are usually made with bamboo, which is a material known for being durable and eco-friendly. Aside from its pleasing minimalist look, it is resilient enough to balance and enhance strength for advanced exercises. 

However, since it is heavy and made from wood, this one's not a great option if you're traveling to the yoga studio, which is why wood blocks are often used for home yoga practice. 

Furthermore, if you're doing restorative postures, these blocks can be hard and uneasy on the back. They tend to get slippery when exposed to sweat due to their smooth surface and don't stack well for positions requiring two stacked blocks.

If you're on the hunt for a lightweight yet eco-friendly option, cork blocks are worth considering. Due to their porous texture, these blocks are easier to grip in contrast to wooden blocks. Cork blocks can be used for poses that require two stacked blocks and won't slip when your hands are sweaty. 

Due to these props' density and stability, these are staples for new yogis who want to get better in balancing poses. If dirt and bacteria concern you,  cork blocks are naturally anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. The downside is these blocks may feel uncomfortable to use in challenging poses that instruct you to lie down.

Before picking a yoga block size, there are few things to consider: the size of your hands and your flexibility level. For those who have small hands and are relatively flexible, go for small-sized blocks. Meanwhile, for those who are taller and having a hard time stretching, large blocks are a better choice. 

Generally, the standard size usually used by yogis is 4 x 6 x 9 inches. These are the ones you’ll see in yoga studios. If you need a bit of height, 4-inch blocks will help you get closer to the floor. On the other hand, 3-inch blocks are suitable for practitioners with smaller body frames. 

Especially for poses like Tadasana and Utkatasana, the standard-sized blocks can be too wide when used as a spacer. Smaller blocks are also a great help as they are portable and are available at a lower price.

Ultimately, 5-inch blocks with the dimensions of 5 x 6 x 9 inches are compatible for taller practitioners and positions that require intense flexibility, like Prasarita Padottanasana, also known as the Wide-Legged Forward Bend.

Although yoga blocks come in rectangular shapes, other brands feature ones that aid in reclining yoga poses, such as egg-shaped blocks. Meanwhile, curved or rounded blocks serve as a support to back bending asanas. Through these props, yoga blocks reduce injury, particularly for beginners and those who have physical limitations.

Can’t decide if you should purchase one or two blocks? The good news is, most brands offer yoga blocks that come in pairs. You can save more if you buy two for a discounted price. 

Another factor to consider is that two blocks are great for two-sided poses such as the Camel and Downward Facing Dog to support other parts of your body and allow you to step up your yoga exercises. Brands also offer yoga block and stretching strap sets for beginners to improve flexibility while simultaneously adjusting body alignment. 

Now that you've already gained information on which yoga block works best with particular exercises, it's time to roll out your yoga mat! We're going to introduce our top picks for you to have a comfortable and safe yoga experience. 

Did you know that yoga can be an aid for relieving lower back pain? Bad posture leads to severe back pain, and this can be a hindrance to being productive. Follow these steps from Yoga With Bird to alleviate back pain by practicing yoga using foam blocks. Remember to consult an expert first before doing this activity to avoid injuries.

Opt to use a foam block with this position. Place the block in the sacrum. Even if you feel heaviness and emotional release, allow the weight of your hips to melt over to the block. Exhale to relax the lower back and focus more on breathing. Afterward, slowly lift one leg at a time, then lift both.

In this video, she slowly moved her hips side to side, followed by her knees, doing the same movement. You may put the block in a higher position for a more intense exercise and practice the leg variations too. For the counterpose, hug your knees to your chest, relax and breathe in, and then do a full exhale.

Put the block along the spine. Use your hand to change the placement of the block. Place your head on the mat and give in the weight of the body over the block. The pose requires you to open your shoulders and chest, which makes it hard to breathe.

Take a slow breath, inhale for three, hold your breath for three and exhale for four or five seconds. To make this posture deeper, grab your opposite elbows over your head. Then, place the opposite wrists or fingers along the belly for more weight.

Put down the block along the spine. Again, use your hand to move the block but leave an inch or two under the tip of shoulder blades. Do note that this is a more intense pose, so it is essential to breathe in slow inhale and slow exhale.

Relax deeper with each exhale. Add more weight by grabbing the opposite wrists along the belly. For a deeper heart opener, make a pistol using your hands and place it over your head. 

Once again, practice full inhale and full exhale to release tension. If you find this position too intense, place a block under your head to make it more comfortable.

Lay the blocks about shoulder-width apart. Open your knees so that the elbows can meet the top of the block. Rest your biceps on the block, heads in prayer, and place your forehead on the mat. Move your thumbs to your upper back. For more intensity, shift the blocks to a higher height and practice the same bicep exercise.

Due to the ongoing quarantine, there will be instances when you can't visit the gym more often. It is still essential to keep your body in the best shape - regular exercising decreases the risk of acquiring diseases. Here are some links to the best workout accessories to help you achieve your fitness goals. 

Yoga can be intimidating if you have only watched long-time yogis doing challenging asanas. Now is never too late to embark on your yoga journey. There are yoga props crafted with durable materials to help beginners cope up with every pose. Even better to incorporate yoga blocks to make challenging asanas accessible and enjoyable. 

These essentials maintain your body alignment and enhance your flexibility. Before selecting yoga blocks to add to your virtual cart, weigh-in which size, shape, and block material will suit your needs and be the perfect companion for your next session. Namaste!

Author: B. Tan 

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