1. Support in Sitting Poses: Place a block under your sit bones to lift and support your hips during seated poses like Sukhasana (easy pose) or Padmasana (lotus pose). This helps maintain a straight spine and reduces strain on the lower back.
2. Assistance in Standing Poses: Use yoga blocks to bring the floor closer to you in standing poses. For example, in Trikonasana (triangle pose), you can place a block on the outside of your front foot to bring the ground up and make the pose more accessible.
3. Extension in Forward Bends: If you find it challenging to reach the floor in forward bends like Uttanasana (standing forward fold), place yoga blocks under your hands. This allows you to maintain proper alignment and gradually work on flexibility.
4. Improved Alignment in Balancing Poses: In balancing poses such as Ardha Chandrasana (half moon pose), use blocks to bring the ground closer to your hands, providing additional stability and support as you find your balance.
5. Enhanced Chest Opening: During heart-opening poses like Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose) or Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose), place yoga blocks under your hands to lift your chest and create more space in the front of your body.
6. Lift in Restorative Poses: Incorporate blocks in restorative yoga poses to provide additional support and comfort. For example, place blocks under your shoulder blades in a supported fish pose or under your knees in Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining-bound angle pose).
7. Alignment Assistance in Standing Twists: When practicing standing twists such as Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (revolved side angle pose), use a block to help you maintain proper spinal alignment by placing it next to your front foot for support.
8. Aid in Arm Balances: Yoga blocks can be used to modify and support arm balances. For instance, in Crow Pose (Bakasana), place blocks under your hands to decrease the distance between the floor and your body, making it easier to lift into the pose.
9. Support in Prenatal Yoga: Pregnant individuals can use blocks to modify poses and provide support during prenatal yoga. Blocks can assist in maintaining balance and comfort as the body changes.
10. Seated Meditation: Use yoga blocks as a prop for comfort during seated meditation. Elevating your hips with a block can make it easier to maintain an upright and relaxed posture.