Introduction
Reaching for the floor in a yoga pose can feel awkward when your hand doesn’t quite get there. A yoga block brings support closer, so you can find a position that feels steadier and gives you room to breathe. Blocks can also provide a comfortable seat or give your hands support in a forward fold.
At Hugger Mugger, we think of blocks as useful tools for every level of practice, not just a starting point for beginners. Below, we’ll cover how to use them, compare foam and cork, and explain what to look for when buying one or a pair. The best block is the one that fits your practice, feels supportive, and is easy for you to use.
What Are Yoga Blocks Used For?
Yoga blocks are firm props that create a raised surface between your body and the floor. You might hear them called yoga bricks. Both terms generally refer to the same rectangular prop.
A block can bring the floor closer to your hand in a standing pose or raise your hips when you sit. It can also give you a surface to press into or rest against. You can turn most rectangular blocks onto different sides to change their height.
Using a block doesn’t mean you’re doing a pose incorrectly. Your proportions, the pose, and how you feel on a particular day all affect how much support is useful. Experienced practitioners use blocks too, including when they want to explore a position with more control.
A block may be useful when you want to:
- Rest a hand somewhere steady without reaching all the way to the floor.
- Sit higher than your feet in a cross-legged position.
- Support both hands in a forward fold.
- Create a comfortable setup for a quieter practice.
- Adjust a pose to suit your body rather than forcing the shape.
A block is optional equipment, but it can make many poses easier to set up. Start with one use that makes sense for your practice and adjust from there.
How to Set Up a Yoga Block
Most rectangular blocks offer three heights. The broadest face provides the lowest setting, while turning the block onto a narrower face raises it. The tallest setting can be useful for reaching the floor, but it may also feel less steady.
Try this setup for a standing forward fold:
Step 1: Place the block near your feet. Start with its broad face on your mat. Make sure the surface underneath it is level.
Step 2: Fold forward comfortably. Bend your knees as much as you need. Rest a hand on the block instead of reaching for the floor.
Step 3: Adjust the position. Move the block closer to your feet or farther forward until your arm can reach it without strain. Turn it to a higher setting if you need more height.
Step 4: Check your support. Press gently into the block and notice whether it stays in place. If it wobbles, lower it or reposition it before putting more weight on it.
Two matching blocks can give each hand its own support. Place them at the same height, then adjust their position to suit your stance.
Note: Move slowly and come out of a pose if a setup causes pain or feels unstable. If you’re pregnant or have an injury or medical condition, ask a qualified clinician or yoga teacher for individual guidance.
Yoga Poses to Try With Blocks
Keep a block within reach rather than waiting until you feel stuck in a pose. You may find that a small change in height or placement makes a setup more comfortable.
Standing Forward Fold
With your feet in a comfortable stance, fold forward and place your hands on one or two blocks. Bend your knees if that helps you reach the supports without pulling on your legs.
Try different block heights. You don’t need to lower them over time unless a lower position feels useful to you.
Triangle Pose
In Triangle Pose, you stand with your legs apart and reach one hand toward the floor beside your front leg. Place a block near the inside or outside of that foot, wherever your hand can comfortably reach it.
Rest your lower hand on the block and keep your upper hand on your hip or reach it upward. Choose a height that lets you remain steady rather than leaning heavily onto a wobbly block.
Low Lunge
For a low lunge, bring one foot forward and lower your back knee to the mat. Place a block beside each side of your front foot and rest your hands on them.
The blocks give your hands a raised surface as you find a comfortable position. If the floor feels hard under your back knee, a folded yoga blanket can add padding.
Seated Cross-Legged Pose
Sit on a block with its broad face down, then cross your legs in front of you. You can sit near the front of the block if that gives your legs more room.
If the block feels too hard, place a folded blanket over it. A blanket can be a useful companion prop when you want padding as well as height. Look for one that folds evenly and has care instructions that suit your routine.
Supported Resting Position
A block can also provide support when you’re resting on your back. One option is to place it on its lowest height beneath your sacrum, the broad, flat area at the back of your pelvis, with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
Set it down slowly and check that it feels stable. It should not press into your lower back. If the position feels uncomfortable or you’re unsure of the placement, remove the block and rest with your feet on the floor instead.
Foam vs. Cork Yoga Blocks
Foam and cork are two common choices. Neither is automatically better. Their weight, firmness, and feel can make one more appealing for the way you practice.
| Feature | Foam blocks | Cork blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Often have some give and a softer surface | Generally feel firmer and harder |
| Weight | Usually lighter to carry | Generally heavier |
| Useful for | Travel, carrying to class, or a softer-feeling seat | Practitioners who prefer a firm surface and don’t mind more weight |
| Appearance | Available in a range of colors and patterns | Often have the visible texture and color of cork |
Foam blocks can be a practical choice if you carry your props or prefer a little give beneath your hand or seat. Foam firmness varies, so check the product description rather than assuming every foam block feels soft.
Cork blocks suit practitioners who like a harder, firmer surface. Their extra weight may be a tradeoff if you walk or travel with your equipment. A heavier block is not a substitute for placing it securely and checking your balance.
Our Marbled Foam Yoga Block offers a patterned look. “Marbled” describes the appearance, not necessarily the material. Check the listing if you want to know whether a block is foam, cork, or another material.
For a Hugger Mugger cork yoga block, check the individual product description for its dimensions and details. Compare those with our foam options, including marbled foam, before choosing the feel you prefer.
Key Takeaway: Choose foam if lighter weight or a softer feel matters most. Consider cork if you prefer a firmer, heavier block.
What Makes a Good Yoga Block?
A good block should feel comfortable to hold and provide a dependable surface for the poses you want to practice. Appearance matters too, but start with the shape, size, and firmness.
Size and Height
A common rectangular block measures 9 by 6 by 4 inches. Turned onto its different faces, that shape offers three approximate heights. Other sizes are available, including narrower blocks, so check the dimensions before buying.
A wider block gives you more surface area for a hand or seat. A narrower one may be easier for smaller hands to hold. Consider how high you need the support and whether the block feels manageable to carry.
Firmness and Weight
If you want a firm or hard yoga block, compare cork with dense foam. When shopping in person, hold the block and press on its surface to get a sense of its feel. If you shop online, read the material and firmness descriptions carefully.
Weight is a personal preference. A heavy block may feel substantial in a home practice, while a lighter one is easier to move between rooms or carry to class. In either case, use a lower setting if a block feels unsteady.
Edges, Surface, and Construction
Look for even edges and a surface that feels comfortable under your palm. Rounded edges may feel nicer to hold than sharp corners. Check that the block sits flat and doesn’t rock on a level surface.
For a pair, matching dimensions make it easier to set both hands at the same height. If the blocks are for a studio, consider how they’ll be handled and stored as well as how they feel in practice.
Color and Pattern
Colorful blocks can make your practice space feel like yours. If you prefer blue, green, yellow, indigo, or a marbled pattern, check the available options when you shop. Colors and stock can change.
A cute design doesn’t tell you how firm or supportive a block is. Once you find the size and material you want, choose a color or pattern you’ll enjoy using.
How Many Blocks Do You Need?
One block is enough to try many common uses. It can support your lower hand in Triangle Pose or give you a higher seat. If you’re starting with a small amount of equipment, one is a useful place to begin.
Two blocks offer more flexibility when both hands need support. They can also help you set up a low lunge or forward fold without sharing one surface between your hands.
Consider your usual practice:
- Choose one if you mainly want a raised seat or support for one hand.
- Choose two if you often use a block under each hand.
- Choose a matching pair if you want the same height and feel on both sides.
- Check your storage space if you’re buying several blocks for a shared practice area.
You can start with one and add a second later. There’s no need to buy more props than you’ll use.
Blocks for Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is a style that pays close attention to the details of poses and often uses props. Blocks can provide a raised surface for a hand, support a seated position, or help a practitioner adjust a pose.
If you’re taking an Iyengar class, ask the teacher what props the class uses and how to place them. A specific setup may call for one or two blocks, and the best position can differ from person to person. You can still use blocks in the same practical ways in other styles of yoga.
Where to Buy Yoga Blocks and What to Compare
You can buy yoga blocks online or look for them at yoga studios and stores that sell exercise equipment. Shopping in person lets you feel the material and test the size in your hand. Online listings make it easier to compare dimensions, materials, colors, and whether blocks are sold individually or as a pair.
Our block collection includes foam and cork options. Before purchasing, check the current listing for the exact material, size, color, and availability. A block shown in one color may not be available in every color.
How Much Do Yoga Blocks Cost?
Block prices vary with the material, size, construction, and whether you’re buying one block or a set. Shipping and return costs can affect the total when you order online. Compare the cost per block rather than assuming a pair is always the better value.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive block, decide which qualities matter before choosing the lowest price. A lighter foam block may suit your needs, but firmness and dimensions still deserve a look.
For inexpensive cork blocks, compare the same details across listings. Check whether the price is for one block or two, and include shipping in your comparison. Avoid giving up the size or firmness you need solely to save on a block that won’t suit your practice.
Buying Blocks in Bulk
Teachers and studio owners may want matching blocks that are easy to distribute and store. Before placing a bulk order, check the quantity, material, dimensions, shipping cost, and current availability. Ask about ordering terms if they aren’t clear.
Our Wholesale Program is an option to explore for studio purchases. Check its current requirements and terms before deciding whether it fits your order.
Conclusion
A yoga block gives you a surface to meet your body where it is. Choose one for the support and feel you want, then experiment with placement until it fits the pose.
- Pick foam for a lighter block or cork for a firmer feel.
- Consider two matching blocks for poses that use support under both hands.
- Check dimensions, current availability, and the total cost before buying.
The most useful block is one you can place securely and reach comfortably.
Explore the Hugger Mugger block collection to compare the options for your practice.
FAQ
What are yoga blocks good for?
Yoga blocks bring the floor closer in poses where your hand cannot comfortably reach it. They can also raise your seat or provide support for both hands in a forward fold or low lunge.
Are foam or cork yoga blocks better?
Both can be useful. Foam is generally lighter and may feel softer, while cork is usually heavier and firmer. Choose based on the feel you prefer and whether you’ll carry your blocks.
Do I need one yoga block or two?
One block works for a raised seat or support under one hand. Two matching blocks are helpful when you want a separate surface for each hand, such as in a low lunge.
Where can I buy yoga blocks online?
You can shop for blocks through yoga equipment brands and other retailers online. Check the material, dimensions, number of blocks included, current stock, and total cost before ordering.
