Even if you have attended many yoga classes, you may have never used props during your practice. Perhaps, you have seen them at your local yoga studio, but you still may have no idea how yoga blocks are used.
Alignment
Proper posture is foundational to a yoga practice. Whether in standing postures such as Mountain Pose (Tadasana) or seated postures such as Easy Pose (Sukhasana), proper alignment makes postures as physically effortless and non-stressful as possible.
Alignment begins with the position of the pelvis. A yoga block can help to bring the pelvis into a neutral position, making it much easier to sit for periods of time, which is especially useful during meditation. If your pelvis tilts forward or backward, your body needs to work harder to stay upright, resulting in discomfort.
Placing a yoga block either widthwise or lengthwise on your yoga mat under your sitting bones will give you the height you need to neutralize your pelvic position. Less strain is put on the spine, shoulders, and neck from being thrown out of alignment when in a slumped position or hyperextension. Your knees will come closer to the floor or rest on the floor below your hips, which is ideal for meditation.
A Helping Hand
In standing postures, such as Warrior (Virabadrasana) 3 or Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana), a yoga block can help you to feel more stable and confident. You can focus on breathing and exploring the posture instead of your fear of losing your balance.
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) requires you to move from Warrior 3 (standing on one leg, bringing the other leg up and back and upper body down so they are both on one plane, level with your hips). Since you are already working on balance and strength, placing your hand on the floor to support yourself while opening your opposite hip and bringing your opposite arm up may seem a bit precarious!
If you are unable to reach the floor without compromising your alignment, a block can act as an extension of your arm, giving you more space to lengthen your side body, while bridging the gap between your hand and the floor. This simple modification gives you more freedom to feel your body and play with possibility.
From Active to Passive
A yoga block can provide physical support, so that you can relax into a posture with less effort. Changing a posture from active to passive allows you to experience it differently.
In Reclining Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana), you lie on your back with the soles of your feet together, outer knees releasing toward the floor. This can be uncomfortable as tight hips and groins resist the release. Placing a block of the same height under each knee, supporting the outer thigh, allows you to move toward deeper release.
There are many other ways to use yoga blocks in your asana practice. As with other yoga props, they are helpful tools for bringing the body into alignment, creating stability, and providing support for relaxation. Now that you have this basic knowledge, try experimenting with blocks to take you deeper into your personal yoga practice.