By A Mystery Man Writer
The best yoga blocks won’t necessarily transform your practice and turn you into an expert yogi, but they will give you more confidence and expand your capabilities. “Yoga blocks are such an important tool in any yogi’s practice,” says Heather Garcia, lead teacher at YogaSix in Chester, NJ. “They have several uses and benefits in […]
The best yoga blocks won’t necessarily transform your practice, but they're essential to elevating your skill level — details here
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: Cork
Looking for a pair of yoga blocks that will last you for years? If so, we recommend the Manduka Cork Yoga Blocks. They’re a favorite among yogis for many reasons: The material is grippy and durable, the blocks are stable and the curved edges add comfort. We love that the cork is ethically sourced and antimicrobial and that the blocks are very stable for challenging poses.
The downsides: These cork blocks aren’t as comfortable as foam for restorative poses, and they’re heavier. They’re also pricey.
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: Cork
If price is important to you but you still want a pair of cork blocks, consider the Volcano Cork Yoga Blocks sold on . They’re made of ethically-sourced Portuguese cork which is grippy and relatively easy to clean. We like the rounded edges, which increase comfort, and the firmness provides good stability. They also come with a yoga strap. Overall, these are a great Manduka dupe.
As with the Manduka cork blocks, these blocks are not as comfortable as foam for restorative poses. They are also a little heavier than Manduka blocks and delivered in plastic, which isn’t as environmentally friendly.
Dimensions: 9x4x6 | Material: EVA Foam
Foam yoga blocks have a reputation of being unstable for balance poses — except for those of Hugger Mugger. In addition to having the wide, standard dimensions (9x6x4), these blocks are made of a high-density EVA foam (a synthetic material) that increases the product’s weight and stability. We like that the material is grippy and relatively easy to wipe clean.
However, the beveled edges are on the sharper side which makes these blocks less comfortable than others for weight-bearing poses. They are also a little heavier than most foam blocks at 0.8 pounds each, and they come shipped in plastic and have an initial off-gassing smell.
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: EVA Foam
If you like a deal, you’ll love the one offered by Syntus — the brand sells two EVA yoga blocks and a strap for $18. The EVA foam is grippy and comfortable, and each block weighs just 0.35 pounds. The beveled edges also make these blocks easy to pick up and set down, and the surface is relatively easy to clean.
The downsides: As with other foam blocks, these are not as stable as cork for balance poses, and the surface easily develops marks. The strap is also on the thin side.
Dimensions: 9x6x3 | Material: Cork
Yoga blocks with standard dimensions are great for stability, but they aren’t as easy to grip if you have small hands. If you prefer blocks with narrow dimensions, try the Trideer Cork Yoga Blocks. The shortest side (four inches) is one inch shorter, which makes these blocks slightly thinner and easier to pick up and more comfortable for certain poses. We like that the cork is sustainable, recyclable and durable, and that these blocks are sturdy yet comfortable because of the rounded edges.
Of course, cork is not as comfortable as foam for weight-bearing poses on your back, and the thinness of the blocks can exacerbate this discomfort. Other than that, we had a difficult time finding cons for this product!
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: EVA Foam
On the hunt for a lightweight yet stable foam block? We like the Gaiam Foam Yoga Blocks. They’re made with latex-free EVA foam and have the standard block dimensions which increase stability. The beveled edges are easy to grip as well. All in all, these blocks strike a nice balance between comfort and firmness.
However, these blocks are not as stable as cork for balance poses. The surface also gets marked easily, and a few customers found that they had an off-gassing smell that wore off after a few days.
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: EVA Foam
If you’re struggling to find a sturdy block that won’t dig into your back, we recommend the Tumaz Yoga Blocks from . Tumaz uses lightweight EVA foam, which means these blocks aren’t as high density as others and have some give — a great quality for weight-bearing restorative poses on your back. We like that they come in several different colors and include a matching strap.
What could be improved: Tumaz sells its cork yoga blocks under the same category as its foam blocks, which can get confusing when purchasing. A few customers also received blocks that didn’t match the exact colors advertised. Plus, the lightweight material isn’t as great for balancing poses.
Dimensions: 9.8x5.9x3.5 | Material: Dense EVA Foam
The flat surfaces of most yoga blocks can get uncomfortable for your wrists, so if you have wrist issues, consider the Lululemon Inner Flow Yoga Blocks. Two sides are rounded while the other two are flat, which makes these blocks stable for balancing poses yet comfortable to grip. The rounded edges are also great for neck support, and the material is easy to wipe clean.
However, the rounded sides don’t distribute weight as evenly as wider, flat edges, so they may be uncomfortable in certain poses. The high-density foam may be a little too firm for restorative poses.
Dimensions: 9.7x3.9x3.4 | Material: Cork
Sometimes, traditional yoga blocks don’t cut it when you’re trying to decompress your back. For the ultimate back (or neck) stretch, consider the Zerene Half-Round Cork Yoga Blocks. They are incredibly sturdy, thanks to their shape, and the curvature alleviates wrist pain in balance poses. They also come with a strap.
The downsides: These blocks technically have just one level (instead of three), because they have only one flat side. As such, you can’t change the level to make certain poses easier. These blocks are also quite heavy at roughly 1.3 pounds each.
Dimensions: 12x6x4 | Material: EVA Foam
Interested in half-moon blocks but hoping for a more comfortable material? If so, we recommend Gaiam’s Crescent Shaped Yoga Blocks. They are bigger than Zerene’s crescent cork blocks, so they provide excellent, graduated back support in fish pose and hip support in pigeon pose. Their shape also gives them great stability and they are light and easy to carry.
As Gaim’s crescent blocks are bigger than the ones from Zerene, their curvature may be too high for back support depending on your flexibility. They also have just one level (as opposed to three).
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: Bamboo
If you’re hoping to find an eco-friendly, sturdy alternative to cork blocks, check out Hugger Mugger’s Bamboo Yoga Blocks. The wood material is all natural and sustainably made, as bamboo replaces itself so easily, and the edges are slightly rounded to increase comfort. We also like how durable they are — they may be some of the longest-lasting blocks out there.
While these blocks are hollow, each one is heavy at 2.2 pounds. This is great for stability but may be inconvenient during practice. Plus, the wood is quite uncomfortable for restorative poses. Lastly, make sure you place these on a non-slip mat when in use. Otherwise, they can slip and slide on the floor.
Dimensions: 9x6x3 | Material: Cork
If you love supporting small businesses that focus on sustainability, try Root’s Cork Yoga Blocks. They are slightly more narrow than traditional blocks (the dimensions are 9x6x3), which makes them great for people with small hands. We like that the cork is firm, antimicrobial and grippy. A bonus: Each block is decorated with a chakra seal.
Since these blocks are thinner, they aren’t as stable as traditional 9x6x4 blocks. The cork is also not as comfortable as foam for restorative poses.
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: EVA Foam
Most EVA foam blocks are not sustainably made, but fortunately, Manduka offers yoga blocks made with 50 to 75-percent recycled EVA foam. We love that these blocks are comfortable and sturdy, making them great for a wide variety of poses. They also come in four different colors, and each one weighs just 0.6 pounds.
However, these blocks are pricey, and not as firm and stable as cork (though they’re some of the most stable foam blocks out there). They also develop marks easily.
Dimensions: 9x6x3 | Material: EVA Foam
If you like a little extra guidance in your poses, consider using a pair of yoga blocks that have a central line running lengthwise. The Tumaz Yoga Blocks are a great pick for maintaining proper alignment because they have that central line. Plus, the dense foam material is sturdy enough for balance poses yet soft enough for restorative ones.
Note that these blocks are narrow (9x6x3), which you may or may not prefer. In addition, the beveled edges are on the sharper side, so they aren’t as comfortable as they should be, and several customers didn’t receive the included strap.
Dimensions: 9x6x4 | Material: Cork
Hoping to score a few extra products in your yoga block package? We like that the Tumaz Cork Yoga blocks come with a strap as well as an ebook to help you learn more about the use of blocks in practice. In addition, the blocks themselves are high quality; the cork material is sturdy, durable and grippy.
However, the Tumaz cork blocks are listed under the same product page as the foam blocks, which is confusing. They also aren’t as comfortable as foam blocks, so they aren’t ideal for restorative poses.
Dimensions: Unknown | Material: Cork
Traditional yoga blocks can be difficult on the wrists because they require a 90-degree wrist angle. To alleviate wrist pain, consider the NamaStrength Yoga Wedges. They’re ideal for plank poses or any pose that requires you to balance on one hand. We like that they include two wrist angles for customized support.
However, these aren’t ideal if you have limited flexibility, because they only have one level as opposed to three. Plus, they aren’t effective for many restorative poses, such as supported bridge pose. NamaStrength also doesn’t provide the exact dimensions of each wedge.
clover PR
clover PR
clover PR
clover PR
clover PR
16 Best Yoga Blocks to Elevate Your Yoga Experience
16 Best Yoga Blocks to Elevate Your Yoga Experience
16 Best Yoga Blocks to Elevate Your Yoga Experience