Many individuals have the misconception that yoga props are only used by beginners to aid them in performing the posture. The truth is that even the most experienced yoga practitioners make use of props to deepen their understanding of the most commonly practiced postures. When one uses a block, they will provide the limbs with additional extension. This effectively helps one to sink deeper into the pose and focus on what it feels like rather than what it looks like. Here are some poses that you can use blocks to assist you.
Staff Pose
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Start off by sitting on the mat with both legs together and straight out in front of you. Place blocks on both sides of your body, right next to your hips. Then, place your palms flat on the block beside your hips. Actively press into them to keep your bottom on the mat. Keep both arms straight and lengthen your spine, imagining it is a sturdy staff or cane someone would use to walk with. With these blocks, you’re providing your arms a little leverage to help elongate your spine and drop your seat into the mat as much as possible. After that, roll your shoulders away from your ears and tuck your chin. Finally, engage your leg muscles and flex your feet. Try staying here for five deep breaths, while keeping your belly still and only breathing into your ribs.
Hero Pose
http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Poses-Try-Blocks-28207842
First, kneel on a mat with both knees together. Separate your feet and place a block under your butt before sitting down. The block will help to take unnecessary pressure off the knees. Instead of focusing on the pain, it enables you to reap the quad-opening benefits of this pose. After which, use your hands to roll your calves away from your thighs. Then, curl the feet arches around the curve of your bottom, so that your toes point behind you and slightly toward each other. While resting your hands on your thighs, press your palms together in front of your chest or raise your hands overhead. Stay here for a total of five deep breaths.
Downward Dog
http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Poses-Try-Blocks-28207842
Begin with your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips. Inhale and tuck your toes under your heels. Upon exhale, lift your hips to form a “V” shape like that of the picture above. Spread your fingers wide apart and create a straight line between your middle fingers and elbows. Take note that your heels should be slightly wider than your toes, making the outside edges of your feet parallel with the outside edges of the mat. When you are in this pose, grab and place the block between the middle of your inner thighs. With the aid of the block, you will learn how to engage and internally rotate your legs, which is essential to eventually reaching your heels to the floor. Hold for a total of five breaths.
If you are looking for yoga classes in Singapore, do take a look at what OMG Yoga has to offer. Some of our private classes also uses the aid of such blocks.