A yoga block is an accessory that helps you in your yoga practice. To help you use your yoga block effectively, check out our exercise videos and find out how to use your yoga block effectively and increase your flexibility.
For an efficient workout, your overall session should last between 45 and 60 minutes, according to your level. The goal of these exercises is first and foremost to stretch all the muscles in your body and increase your flexibility. When doing any of these exercises, the time is measured by counting the number of breaths taken.
Safety tips: When doing any of these exercises, make sure that there is nothing on your mat (no towels or water bottles), and do the exercises in bare feet to avoid slipping.
EXERCISE VIDEO #1: FRONT STRADDLE
- Difficulty: Level 1
- Performing the exercise: Put the brick on your yoga mat and sit on it. Spread your legs apart and straighten them. How far apart your legs are will depend on your flexibility.
- Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
- Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.
EXERCISE VIDEO #2: WIDE-LEGGED FORWARD BEND
- Difficulty: Level 2
- Performing the exercise: Take up the starting position, standing on the mat. Place the yoga brick in front of you and spread your legs wide apart. Lower your body gently downwards to place your head on the brick, and grab your heels with your hands. Next, slowly straighten up to come back to the starting position.. If you feel that you can go further, you can repeat the exercise by lowering the brick.
- Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
- Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.
EXERCISE VIDEO #3: HERO POSE
- Difficulty: Level 2
- Performing the exercise: Take up the starting position by placing two bricks one on top of the other, and your knees on the ground. Sit down on the bricks with your legs either side, and bring your hands together. Hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths, then take away one of the bricks. Hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths, then take away the second brick.
- Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
- Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.
EXERCISE VIDEO #4: FISH POSE
Difficulty: Level 3
Performing the exercise: Take up the starting position, sitting on the mat with your knees bent. Place a brick, on the long narrow side, level with the top of your back. Lower your back gently towards the brick until it is resting on top of it. Let your head fall gently backwards and hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths. Next, come back to the starting position by gently straightening your back.
Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.
EXERCISE VIDEO #5: REVERSE TRIANGLE
Difficulty: Level 3
Performing the exercise: Take up the starting position, standing on the mat. Stretch your left leg out in front of you and place the brick next to your left foot on the short narrow side. Stretch your right leg out far behind you so that your legs are wide apart. Stretch your arms out to the side and touch the brick with your right hand by rotating your torso. Hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths, and then come back to the starting position. After doing the exercise once, do it again on the other side, by switching over your legs and placing the brick on the other side.
Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.
EXERCISE VIDEO #6: SIDE BALANCE
Difficulty: Level 3
Performing the exercise: Take up the starting position, standing with the mat laid out lengthways. Place one brick, flat side down, on each side of the end of the mat. Lower yourself gently towards the floor, rolling your back down in a straight line, and put one hand on each of the bricks. Next, take a small jump so that your legs are stretched out behind you, on the tips of your toes, in the core muscle position. Now, lower your heels onto the mat, lift up your glutes and bring your head towards your thighs to obtain the Downward-Facing Dog pose. Hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths, and then come back to the starting position, making sure you roll your back up slowly, finishing with the back of your neck and your head.
Breathing: When doing yoga exercises, breathe through your nose only, and don't forget to breathe smoothly and regularly throughout the exercise.
Repetitions: 2 to 3 series of 3 to 5 breaths according to your level.