Different materials of yoga blocks
Sthira Sukha "The posture should be stable and comfortable at the same time". In Sanskrit, Sthira means something like firm, stable, immobile, durable and resistant. Sukha describes ease, lightness, joy and happiness. So says Patanjali's Yogasutra .
The yoga block is an indispensable yoga aid to give you a secure hold and stability in your asanas. Here you should have at least 2 yoga blocks in different sizes right from the start. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, the yoga block is a helpful tool and yoga aid to become more flexible or to find an easy introduction to unfamiliar exercises. The yoga block, whether made of cork, wood or foam, is stable and can reliably carry any body weight. The yoga aid, such as the yoga block, can be your "extended arm". The yoga block is ideal for changing distances, e.g. with new exercises and making stretching more intensive. As a beginner, it allows you to more easily reach the floor or your yoga mat. This essential yoga accessory supports muscles and joints. Get more out of your asanas! For all beginners, the yoga block for overloading and avoiding pressure and pain is an indispensable yoga accessory. The yoga block provides an extra portion of strength and stability, as you can support your hands and stabilize your back. You can put your yoga block under it. Yoga aids are light and you can quickly stow the yoga block and take it with you to the yoga studio. The Aalenaa yoga block is of high quality and very durable.
cork yoga blocks
what is cork
Cork is a tissue of dead cells in the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber). The cork oak is relatively undemanding, it endures drought and dryness. The largest cork oak forests are found in Portugal. The cork oak is about 200 years old. She first produces cork cambium, a phellogen, at the age of 25. The bark can be hand-peeled every 8-12 years without having to fell the tree. Cork is a natural, renewable and 100% biodegradable raw material. Cork is also light and soft. Cork is moisture-resistant and water-repellent, as well as anti-allergic and odorless. The cork yoga block is very easy to clean. A cork yoga block offers a very good grip for the hands. The cork yoga block is slightly heavier than a yoga block made of EVA foam, but these yoga bucks are 100% natural. Yoga aids made of cork are more stable and firm than a yoga block made of EVA foam. A cork yoga block is very safe and stable, especially for people with a high body weight, because a cork yoga block does not deform. Here you should decide what to focus on. Cork yoga blocks are also usually more expensive than EVA foam yoga blocks.
- light, ideal for transport
- Ideally suited for allergy sufferers
- 100% biodegradable
- 100% natural
- Moisture repellent
- shape stable
Foam Yoga Blocks
A foam yoga block, also known as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), consists of a soft foam. We encounter this foam in everyday life on shoe soles, handicraft materials such as foam rubber. Due to its closed cell structure, the foam yoga block has a very low weight and high slip resistance. The soft, light foam contains neither PVC nor toxic plasticizers. The EVA yoga block is 100% recyclable and therefore almost environmentally friendly. This variant of yoga aids is therefore free of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and is therefore completely non-toxic. The foam yoga block is very suitable for the yoga styles: Iyengar, Anusara, Ashtanga and Power Yoga. You can use a foam yoga block for meditation. You can use this foam yoga block as a seat pad for your meditation if you don't have a meditation cushion. A foam yoga block is available in many beautiful colors. A foam yoga block is an ideal companion for the yoga studio or the fitness studio due to its very light weight (from 150g). The foam yoga block is available in different sizes, often in S, M or XL. A yoga block XL can be very helpful, especially for beginners.
- lightweight
- Soft and flexible
- Easy-care
- Many beautiful colors
- Free from heavy metals and toxins
Bamboo and wooden yoga blocks
Wood and bamboo are both renewable and 100% natural materials that are 100% biodegradable. Bamboo, woody grass- is the fastest growing material. Wood and bamboo result in extremely dimensionally stable yoga blocks, which can, however, be relatively heavy. A yoga block made of wood and bamboo gives you a nice warm feeling on your skin. The yoga block made of wood or bamboo is very robust. A wooden or bamboo yoga block is for anyone looking for an aesthetically pleasing and stable yoga tool. However, this yoga aid is very hard because it does not give way, and the edges can sometimes hurt the joints.
- Sustainable materials
- Stable and solid
- Aesthetically pleasing
- natural material
- Sturdy and durable
- Environmentally friendly
Benefits and uses of yoga blocks
Here we have a small video where you can see very nicely how to use the yoga block.
For beginners
As a beginner, you can work with the yoga block to achieve greater body stability. The yoga aid yoga block can help in the beginning to improve balance and endurance in the asanas. It can be very helpful for you as a beginner to reduce the distance with a yoga block or to lengthen it with a yoga block.
With a yoga block as a yoga aid, you can use this yoga block as an alignment aid to straighten your spine better and more stably.
Are your arms too short? Place both hands on 2 yoga blocks (standing forward bend or uttanassana). This is how you achieve a gentle stretching of the back of the body with the help of the yoga block by distributing the weight evenly on the hands and feet.
During meditation or pranayama, the yogic breathing exercise, you can relax your hip muscles if you use the yoga block to help. You slide this yoga aid under your buttocks. Your spine can be straightened with the help of the yoga aid and the hip muscles can relax. Let your breath and energy flow properly!
To start stretching your legs, put your hands on 2 yoga blocks and go into downward-facing dog.
- Alignment assistance
- Makes learning new poses easier
- Helps develop flexibility
- Gives you support and stability
For advanced
As you can see very nicely in our video, the yoga aid will help you with the triangle (Trikonasana). You start the exercise with a lunge. Your toes are over the edge of the mat, your knee is pointing over your ankle, your yoga block is on the inside of your foot. The navel points inwards, the pelvic floor is tense, your back is straight. Your front hand grabs the yoga block, your back stays tense. You put your hand on the yoga block. The upper arm reaches for the sun and the front of the body opens. Enjoy stretching and relaxing while holding the yoga block.
You can also work wonderfully with the yoga block in the cobra. To do this, place the yoga block under the base of the ribs. The legs are next to each other, the feet are touching. The interlaced fingers lie behind the buttocks. The yoga block helps you to keep the abdominal muscles tension. The head and neck are relaxed. Then go into the child's pose and feel.
With the shoulder bridge (Setubandhasana) you can use the yoga block between your knees to help.
- Expands the range of exercises
- Improves balance and stability
- Promotes deep relaxation
- Helps with stretching
For pregnant women and people with physical disabilities
The yoga block is very suitable for pregnant women as a seat cushion or relief. You can also just rest your head or tailbone on the yoga block to relax.
The passive version of the shoulder stand is very suitable for relaxing the lower back with the yoga block. For this you need 2 yoga blocks. Stack these yoga aids and push the stack under your sacrum. The legs point to the sky, the arms are spread out beside the body.
The exercise with the yoga block is also very relaxing: the half wheel. The yoga block lies upright under your sacrum. Legs are straight on the floor, arms are open and relaxed beside the body.
- Facilitates practicing despite physical limitations
- Helps to adjust poses
- Creates security and trust
- Helps for relaxation exercises
How to choose the right yoga block
material
The material of your Aalenaa yoga block depends on your needs and what you focus on. We have explained to you here which materials are used for the yoga block and where the advantages and disadvantages lie. We have also explained to you what you can do with the yoga block and which exercises you can use a yoga block for. Now it's up to you to see which Aalenaa yoga block is right for you.
- needs and personal preferences
- environmental awareness
- durability
- Weight
size and shape
A yoga block comes in different sizes and shapes. Here you decide which yoga block is the right yoga block for your body and your exercises. You should buy at least 2 yoga blocks. At Aalenaa, we also recommend that you buy yoga blocks in different sizes.
- height and flexibility
- type of yoga practice
- space and transportation
- Mission
color and design
The color of the yoga block can be wonderfully combined with your yoga mat. You can also choose the yoga block to match your meditation cushion at Aalenaa. You can also match your yoga pants or yoga leggings together with your yoga shirt to the color of your yoga mat and choose the color of the yoga block at Aalenaa. There are no limits to your imagination here.
- aesthetic preferences
- Harmony with the yoga mat and the room
- feel good factor
- Perfect harmony with yoga pants or yoga leggings
FAQ
How do I clean and care for my yoga block?
- Cork: Wipe clean with a damp cloth, allow to air dry
- Foam: Wash off with mild soapy water, rinse thoroughly, allow to air dry
- Wood and Bamboo: Wipe clean with a damp cloth, use mild detergent if necessary, allow to air dry
Which material is best for my yoga block?
- Cork: For the environmentally conscious who value durability
- Foam: For people who prefer a light and soft material or who want to take the yoga block with them to the yoga studio. The foam yoga block is available in all bright and cheerful colors
- Wood and Bamboo: For those looking for an aesthetically pleasing and stable tool
Can I also use a yoga block for other exercises?
Yes, the yoga block is versatile. You can also use the wooden or bamboo yoga block for mobilization and stabilization during strength exercises in the gym. You can use these when doing push-ups. You can also use the yoga block for stretching exercises in the gym. Yoga aids are not just related to yoga. You can use the yoga block for exercises in gymnastics, Pilates or fitness. The yoga block even helps you during rehab, for example if you want to stretch an arm or leg more because of an injury. This is where the Aalenaa yoga block comes in handy.
- Ideal for Pilates, stretching and balance exercises
- Also as a support for meditation
- The yoga block is versatile
- Ideal for Pilates, stretching and balance exercises
- Also as a support for meditation
