The Best Yoga Blocks For Every Level of Practice
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No matter if you're a beginner to yoga or a seasoned instructor, using a yoga block is a helpful way to support your practice. Yoga teachers, including myself, regularly recommend using yoga blocks to help stabilize the body during class so you're not wobbling all over your mat. They also serve as support for many standing, seated, and even horizontal yoga postures, allowing you to bring the floor to you, so you can fully relax into a pose.
Overall, yoga blocks help you make the most out of your practice — but many people don't take advantage of this simple prop.
How to Use Yoga Blocks
You can use yoga blocks in near-infinite ways in both your yoga practice and at-home workouts. For example, in standing poses like Triangle, you can place a block or two under your bottom hand to help you keep your balance while your torso is tilted on an angle. Putting blocks underneath your hands is also helpful for when you find yourself balancing on one foot, like in Warrior Three or Half Moon.
You can use yoga blocks on other body parts, too. Stand on a pair of blocks in Forward Fold to elevate the hips and increase the fold at the hip creases, or place a block between your thighs in a Chair Pose or a glute bridge to engage your inner thighs. You can also take a seat on a block for your meditation, or support your knees with two blocks during a Reclined Bound Angle.
While most people think of a yoga block as a rectangular piece of foam, these tools actually come in a range of shapes, sizes, and materials, with each serving a unique purpose. Keep scrolling for a list of the best yoga blocks of all types — including a foam block, wedge block, curved yoga block, and cork yoga block — and learn about how each one can support your yoga practice. Shop the best yoga blocks for 2023 ahead.
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Best Foam Yoga Block
Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Block ($22)
Manduka makes some of the industry's best yoga mats, so it's no surprise they excel at yoga blocks, too. This dense foam yoga block from the brand maintains its grip through even the sweatiest hot yoga classes. This dense, not stiff, foam yoga block offers support that doesn't collapse under pressure.
Why we love it: This yoga block is made from earth-conscious recycled EVA foam and has earned a high 4.9-star rating from hundreds of customers. Reviewers love that they're lightweight and soft to the touch but provide good grip and stability.
What's worth noting: A few customers note that the colors IRL may differ slightly from the pictures online.
Additional details: Dimensions: 4" x 6" x 9" | Colorways: 4
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Best Yoga-Block Set
Gaiam Essentials Yoga Block Set ($11-$17)
In many cases, having a second yoga block makes all the difference in the amount of support or aid this prop can offer. For an affordable pair of soft-to-the-touch, sweat-absorbing blocks, try this Gaiam set.
Why we love it: With over 25,000 reviews and a 4.8 overall rating, these yoga blocks are an Amazon favorite. Customers appreciate their affordability and beveled edges for easy gripping, and that they're lightweight yet sturdy.
What's worth noting: Some customers note that these blocks can get marked easily due to their somewhat soft EVA foam makeup.
Additional details: Dimensions: 4" x 9" x 6" | Colorways: 4
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Best Curved Yoga Block
Lululemon Inner Flow Yoga Block ($28)
The unique curves on Lululemon's yoga block provide support from all angles. Comfortably hold the shorter curved side of this block in standing postures like Half Moon, or use the longer curved side for postures that are closer to the ground, like Low Lunge. Pro tip: grab two blocks, then put the long inner flat sides of the blocks together to create a comfortable seat for your meditation. The curved sides won't dig into your thighs like regular blocks sometimes do.
Why we love it: This yoga block's curved design makes it easier to grip and thus gentler on your hands. One reviewer writes: "I love how the rounded corners fit my palms for support in any pose." Plus, the marble design means it's cute enough to display in your living room without it looking like straight-up workout equipment. (You could totally use a pair of these as bookends on a shelf.)
What's worth noting: Some reviewers find the block to be too hard.
Additional details: Dimensions: 9.8" x 5.9" x 3.5" | Colorways: 2
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Best Colorful Yoga Block
Alo Yoga Uplifting Yoga Block ($28)
If the aesthetic of your yoga block is just as important as the support it provides, direct your attention to Alo Yoga's foam blocks, which are made of cushy-but-firm EVA.
Why we love it: We're personally obsessed with Alo Yoga's Warrior Mat, which comes in a few joy-sparking colors, and they have yoga blocks that match perfectly, from sunny yellow to ballet pink. And with near-perfect reviews, this yoga black has plenty of other fans: "Exploring new asanas and flows becomes more supportive and enjoyable with these companions," writes one happy reviewer.
What's worth noting: If you're looking for a super lightweight block, this may not be the one for you; customers note that it's quite heavy compared to others, which is great for stability but not for toting around.
Additional details: Dimensions: 4" x 6" x 9" | Colorways: 8
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Best Wedge Yoga Block
Gaiam Yoga Block Wedge ($15)
Another unconventional design, this Gaiam wedge is a great way to support your body in many postures, including Downward Dog. Sliding this block under your palms (with the tallest side facing you) in this pose takes some of the pressure off the wrists.
Why we love it: Some happy customers say this wedge has helped their hands and wrists feel "so much better" after using it for Downward Dog and planks. Others use it under their hips during ab exercises or seated postures.
What's worth noting: Some customers wish this wedge was a little taller to further eliminate the pressure on their wrists, while others find it a bit slippery.
Additional details: Dimensions: 20" x 6" x 2" | Colorways: 1
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Best Cork Yoga Block
Manduka Cork Yoga Block ($24)
If you're not a fan of foamy materials, try using a cork yoga block. This durable option from Manduka is porous and stable — making it a great option for people with sweaty palms, too.
Why we love it: Cork feel super solid under your hands, hips, or feet. "I like the solidity of the cork to help take some weight more securely. I also just like the cork aesthetically," writes one reviewer. Plus, cork is a renewable, sustainable material, and these blocks are responsibly made with no toxic chemicals produced during harvesting or manufacturing, according to the brand.
What's worth noting: These blocks are pretty heavy, reviewers note; you'll definitely feel them in your bag if you bring them back and forth to your yoga studio.
Additional details: Dimensions: 9" x 6" x 4" | Colorways: 1
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Best Yoga Blocks For Wrist Pain
Wrist Buddy Yoga Blocks ($40)
This set of two yoga blocks isn't quite as versatile as others, but their design serves a very special purpose: to help take the pressure off your wrists during asanas like Downward Dog and Chaturanga. This is thanks to the hand-shaped cutouts on two edges of the block, which creates a comfortable grip spot for your palms and fingers.
Why we love it: Customers rave about how these yoga blocks have helped them do planks, push-ups, and Vinyasa flows for the first time since wrist injuries or carpal tunnel.
What's worth noting: Because these blocks have grip-shaped cutouts, you likely won't be able to use them under your hips, back, head, or feet.
Additional details: Dimensions: 9" x 6" x 4" | Colorways: 4
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Best Wooden Yoga Block
Hugger Mugger Bamboo Yoga Block ($31)
This Hugger Mugger bamboo yoga block is the firmest on this list. Wooden blocks like these provide a sturdy setup, especially for restorative yoga postures in practices like Yin yoga.
Why we love it: Customers insist that the feel of these bamboo blocks is drastically different than foam or cork options, saying they love the "solid feel of the bamboo material" for their home practice.
What's worth noting: These blocks aren't solid bamboo; they're hollow in the center, which some customers don't love the feel of.
Additional details: Dimensions: 10" x 6" x 4" | Colorways: 1
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