This allows for thoracic spine extension, giving us deeper range in heart-openers like Bow Pose (Dhanurasana), Lord of the Dance Pose (Natarajasana), and Camel Pose (Ustrasana). How the blocks help: The framework provided by the blocks allows us to relax completely, encouraging stubborn postural tension to dissolve from the pectoralis major and minor muscles. It’s also a helpful start to a heart-opening practice, or a soothing finish to balance a practice involving a lot of chest and shoulder strength. It opens up space for deeper breathing, making it a good position for expansive pranayama practices. This potent chest opener, a variation of Fish Pose (Matsyasana), counters slumped posture by releasing tension in the pectoralis major and minor muscles in the chest. See also 10 Creative Ways to Use Props in Your Practice 10 Ways to Use Blocks to Advance Your Yoga Practice 1. The humble yoga block, for example, gives us countless ways to vary our practice-highlighting sensations that help us experience a pose in a new way. You wouldn’t judge a builder as “bad” at his or her work because they used the right tool for the job, so why not use the appropriate prop in yoga practice? Props aren’t just for beginners they can be used to develop and even deepen dimensions of asana practice.

They seem to disdain using blocks or straps, seeing them as an admission of weakness or inability to perform the “full pose.”īut here’s what I’ve learned: props are tools. It’s poetic justice that many of my students share my old attitude. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!īefore I became a yoga teacher, I didn’t use props I didn’t “need” them to achieve the pose.

Yoga blok