Yoga blocks (cubes) are used in yoga exercises that require significant stretching. The stores offer a wide range of foam, wooden and cork blocks. Which type to choose? Check out how to use the yoga cubes and see examples of exercises with the use of this device.
Yoga blocksare accessories especially useful for beginners, which are not stretched sufficiently.Exercising with the yoga diceare safer and easier than exercising without the exercise
Find out what types and how to use yoga cubes.
Yoga blocks - application
Yoga cubesare handy and lightweight devices designed to facilitate exercise. First of all, they prevent injuries that may result from excessive muscle stretching.
Yoga blocksare accessories that are useful at every level of training. They help in learning specific positions, i.e. asanas. They can act as a support when lying on the back, standing, sitting, and when turning. Well-chosen exercises with the use of these ankles will help you shape your body and strengthen your muscles.
Yoga blocks (cubes) - types
Each type of yoga blocks has the same use. However, they differ in the material from which they are made or technical information, such as dimensions or weight. Therefore, choosing the right ankle for yourself is an individual matter, motivated mainly by aesthetic preferences and specific conditions of our body.
Usually, each block has smooth, rounded edges so as to reduce the risk of abrasion to the body as much as possible. These cubes come in various sizes.
- Foam block- this is a kind of very light block made of foam resistant to deformation while maintaining the appropriate hardness provided by the density of the foam used. A definite advantage of this type of blocks is the fact that thanks to the plastic from which they were made, they come in a wide range of colors. Usually the foam pads weigh no more than 300 g depending on the properties of the foam.
- Cork block- because of its ownscale is recommended for people who travel frequently with exercise props. It is also very pleasant to the touch. Its price is slightly higher than that of classic wooden blocks, because cork oak does not exist in Poland. Its weight usually ranges from about 350 g to 500 g depending on the cork.
- Pine block- the most common during gym classes. The brightest of the blocks made of light pine wood. Like all wooden blocks, it is heavier than the ones mentioned above. It weighs approx. 800 g.
- Beech block- in terms of weight, it is placed between a pine block and an oak block.Thanks to the material,it is made of has a delicate and mild color, and is also cheaper than foam or cork blocks. Usually it weighs about 1300 g. Oak block - the heaviest block. Like other wooden blocks, it can be varnished or natural. Ecological varnish is usually recommended in a situation where the brick will be used very often. because it will extend its lifetime.
- Oak block- the heaviest block. Like other wooden blocks, it can be varnished or natural. Ecological varnish is usually recommended in a situation where the brick will be used very often, because it will extend its life. It weighs approx. 1350 g.
Yoga blocks - example exercises
- Position of the triangle
It consists in completely pushing one leg forward and putting the other one back as far as possible so that the position of the thighs in relation to the ground forms a triangle. The front foot must be turned 90 degrees outwards. In this position, keep your hips as stable as possible. Your hands should help you achieve this. Parallel to the leg that is pushed forward, the open palm is to be placed next to her on the floor, very close to the front of the foot. The other hand, on the other hand, should rest freely along the back leg or walk upwards.
Yoga cube - how to apply it in a triangle position?
In such a position, not everyone is able to maintain a proper body position and good spine rotation due to the limitations associated with pressing the hand in front of it against the floor. This task makes it much easier to raise the point of the ground by the block on which the hand is to rest. This is the difference of shifting the entire torso by a few or several centimeters up, depending on the position of the prop. Often this procedure introduces a huge onethe difference in maintaining balance and stability for the entire body. In this position, slowly breathe in and out 6 times, and then switch sides by putting the other leg forward.
- Parśvottanasana
It involves lowering your torso forward while placing your hand on the floor. At the same time, one leg should be pushed forward and the other leg should remain in the starting position, so that the muscles stretch even more intensively.
Yoga cube - how to use it in the parśvottanasana position?
Not everyone at the very beginning of their yoga adventure is able to put their open hands on the mat, keeping the lumbar section straight and the torso parallel to the floor. Two blocks can help with this exercise, which will provide a stable support for the hands a few or several centimeters above the floor, depending on the individual arrangement of accessories.
The blocks can also be used to raise the tailbone as much as possible during this exercise, which is the main assumption of parsvottanasana. In this position, slowly breathe in and out 6 times, and then switch sides by pushing the other leg forward.
There are many examples of exercises with blocks, because they can be used as a help for practitioners in almost any yoga position.