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title: Yoga brick - Wikipedia
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> **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_brick?utm_source=openai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A yoga brick under the supporting hand to encourage correct alignment in [Trikonasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trikonasana "Trikonasana") (triangle pose) according to the individual's needs. This usage is common in [Iyengar Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga "Iyengar Yoga").

A **yoga brick** or **yoga block** is a smooth block of wood or of firm but comfortable material, such as hard foam rubber or cork, [used as a prop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_using_props "Yoga using props") in [yoga as exercise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_exercise "Yoga as exercise").

The use of wooden bricks to assist in alignment was introduced by [B. K. S. Iyengar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar "B. K. S. Iyengar"), founder of [Iyengar Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga "Iyengar Yoga"), and has spread to practices such as [Restorative Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_Yoga "Restorative Yoga") and [Yin Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yoga "Yin Yoga").

[B. K. S. Iyengar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar "B. K. S. Iyengar"), who founded [Iyengar Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga "Iyengar Yoga") in the 1970s, introduced the use of yoga props including bricks and straps to assist his students towards correct alignment in the [asanas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana "Asana"). He recommended that yoga bricks be similar in size to a [house brick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick#Optimal_dimensions,_characteristics,_and_strength "Brick"), 9 x 4.5 x 3 inches (22.5 x 11 x 7.5 cm) in size.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1)[\[2\]](#cite_note-Norberg_2016-2) Iyengar yoga institutions sell unbranded yoga bricks.[\[3\]](#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](#cite_note-4)

[Cork](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_\(material\) "Cork (material)") yoga blocks

Yoga bricks are manufactured in a variety of materials, sizes, and colours. Lydia Willgress, writing for _[The Independent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Independent "The Independent")_, states that the key considerations are the hardness of the material, which influences the comfort and support they provide; size and weight; and appearance.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5) Some brands, such as [Lululemon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lululemon "Lululemon"), provide "motivational messaging"[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5) on both the packaging and the actual block.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5)

Practitioners may choose to own only a single block, but some asanas require a block under each hand, or a stack of two blocks, so purchasing a set of two may be practical and economical on shipping costs.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1)

A foam plastic block in a [therapeutic use of yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_for_therapeutic_purposes "Yoga for therapeutic purposes")

The earliest yoga bricks were made of [wood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood "Wood"), providing excellent support and durability but relatively little comfort. They are hard, often heavy, expensive, and tend to become slippery when wet. These considerations led to the development of yoga bricks in other materials, and to the marketing of hollow wooden blocks, which are lighter but more costly and less durable.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1) Woods used include [hardwoods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwood "Hardwood") like [birch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch "Birch") and [maple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple "Maple"), and [softwoods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softwood "Softwood") like [pine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine "Pine"); hardwood blocks are heavier (up to about 2.5 pounds or 1.1 kg) and more durable than those made of softwood.[\[2\]](#cite_note-Norberg_2016-2) Lightweight wooden blocks made of [balsa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsa "Balsa") are available from some manufacturers.[\[6\]](#cite_note-Crawford-6) Bamboo blocks are durable, but relatively expensive.[\[7\]](#cite_note-Moore_2013-7)

[Cork](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_\(material\) "Cork (material)") is a natural material, making it an attractive choice for yoga practitioners concerned about ecological impact. It provides good grip, and since it is naturally waterproof, it usefully resists absorbing sweat.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5) All the same, it does eventually absorb odours, and it tends to crumble with use.[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1)

Foam plastic or rubber blocks (often [EVA foam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EVA_foam "EVA foam")) are lighter than cork, ranging between 200 and 400 grams (7 to 14 ounces), so are convenient to carry around, and they are often inexpensive, so they are widely used by yoga studios.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5)[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1)[\[2\]](#cite_note-Norberg_2016-2) Those of relatively soft foam are comfortable to sit on, but provide less support for other parts of the body as may be needed in the more advanced [asanas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana "Asana").[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5)[\[1\]](#cite_note-Burgin_2014-1)

Manufacturers such as Manduka make recycled foam blocks, offering the combination of a light and strong prop with a low ecological impact.[\[8\]](#cite_note-Olewitz_2019-8)

The yoga teacher Benna Crawford notes that brick and block are usually synonyms for the same [yoga props](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_using_props "Yoga using props"), but that manufacturers sometimes use "brick" for a slim one, about 2 inches (5 cm) thick, and "block" for a thicker one of 3 inches (7.5 cm) and above.[\[6\]](#cite_note-Crawford-6)

Most yoga bricks are [cuboidal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuboid "Cuboid") blocks, often with chamfered edges for comfort. Well-designed blocks have unequal length, width, and thickness, offering three different heights for different uses in the yoga class. Some manufacturers have explored other shapes; for example, Yogamatters make an oval block, comfortable for sitting but less versatile as a support.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Willgress_2018-5)

The [use of props](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_using_props "Yoga using props") including a thin yoga block, [yoga mats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_mat "Yoga mat"), and a folding chair, demonstrated in [Vasisthasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasisthasana "Vasisthasana")

The yoga teacher and author Candace Moore writes that yoga bricks can be useful for both beginners and advanced practitioners. Beginners can benefit from supporting their hand in asanas such as [Trikonasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trikonasana "Trikonasana"), Triangle pose, sitting on a block in a forward bend such as [Paschimottanasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschimottanasana "Paschimottanasana"), or supporting one buttock in [Eka Pāda Rājakapotāsana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eka_P%C4%81da_R%C4%81jakapot%C4%81sana "Eka Pāda Rājakapotāsana") (King Pigeon pose), giving a beneficial forward tilt to the pelvis.[\[7\]](#cite_note-Moore_2013-7)[\[9\]](#cite_note-9) Moore suggests that a pair of blocks can be used to support the knees in the seated [Baddha Konasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baddha_Konasana "Baddha Konasana"), Cobbler's pose,[\[7\]](#cite_note-Moore_2013-7) while practitioners can work towards more advanced poses using a block under each hand to practice arm balances such as in preparation for [Astavakrasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astavakrasana "Astavakrasana").[\[7\]](#cite_note-Moore_2013-7) Similarly, in Iyengar Yoga, a pair of yoga bricks can be used under the feet in [Urdhva Dhanurasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdhva_Dhanurasana "Urdhva Dhanurasana") (Upwards Bow pose) to enable the lower trunk to lift better, or the hands can be placed on yoga bricks.[\[10\]](#cite_note-10)

[Yin Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yoga "Yin Yoga") (founded c. 1975) uses props such as blocks to help get sensation into whichever area is of concern; the purpose may be to increase stress in an area, to reduce stress where it is not wanted, to make some poses accessible to the practitioner, to provide enough support to allow the muscles to let go, and to make poses more comfortable, permitting them to be held for longer. The Yin Yoga teacher [Sarah Powers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Powers "Sarah Powers") explains that "When the bones feel supported, the muscles can relax;"[\[11\]](#cite_note-YY-11) an example is the use of blocks to support the knees in Butterfly pose, the Yin equivalent of Baddha Konasana.[\[11\]](#cite_note-YY-11)

[Restorative Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_Yoga "Restorative Yoga") (founded c. 2007) uses blocks extensively, for example arranging them under a bolster to create a ramp or to raise a part of the body.[\[2\]](#cite_note-Norberg_2016-2)

-   [Yoga mat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_mat "Yoga mat")
-   [Yoga pants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_pants "Yoga pants")

1.  [1](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-0) [2](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-1) [3](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-2) [4](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-3) [5](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-4) [6](#cite_ref-Burgin_2014_1-5) Burgin, Timothy (2 October 2014). ["How to Choose the Perfect Yoga Block"](https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/how-to-choose-the-perfect-yoga-block/). YogaBasics. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220601153330/https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/how-to-choose-the-perfect-yoga-block/) from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
2.  [1](#cite_ref-Norberg_2016_2-0) [2](#cite_ref-Norberg_2016_2-1) [3](#cite_ref-Norberg_2016_2-2) [4](#cite_ref-Norberg_2016_2-3) Norberg, Ulrica (2016). [_Restorative Yoga: Reduce Stress, Gain Energy, and Find Balance_](https://books.google.com/books?id=YGeCDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT138). [Skyhorse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhorse_Publishing "Skyhorse Publishing"). pp. 138–140\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-5107-2744-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5107-2744-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-5107-2744-1").
3.  [↑](#cite_ref-3) [Jain, Andrea R.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Jain "Andrea Jain") (2015). [_Selling Yoga: From Counterculture to Pop Culture_](https://books.google.com/books?id=C2q6BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA85). [Oxford University Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_University_Press "Oxford University Press"). p. 85\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-19-939024-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-939024-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-19-939024-3").
4.  [↑](#cite_ref-4) ["About Us | Shop"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190712210753/https://iymv.org/iyengar-yoga-london-iyengar-yoga-shop/). [Iyengar Yoga Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga_Institute "Iyengar Yoga Institute"). Archived from [the original](https://iymv.org/iyengar-yoga-london-iyengar-yoga-shop/) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
5.  [1](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-0) [2](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-1) [3](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-2) [4](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-3) [5](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-4) [6](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-5) [7](#cite_ref-Willgress_2018_5-6) Willgress, Lydia (20 July 2018). ["7 best yoga blocks"](https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/yoga/best-yoga-blocks-reviews-beginners-equipment-straps-a8453266.html). _[The Independent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Independent "The Independent")_. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/yoga/best-yoga-blocks-reviews-beginners-equipment-straps-a8453266.html) from the original on 7 May 2022.
6.  [1](#cite_ref-Crawford_6-0) [2](#cite_ref-Crawford_6-1) Crawford, Benna. ["How to Use a Yoga Brick"](https://yoga.lovetoknow.com/types-yoga/how-use-yoga-brick). Love to Know. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
7.  [1](#cite_ref-Moore_2013_7-0) [2](#cite_ref-Moore_2013_7-1) [3](#cite_ref-Moore_2013_7-2) [4](#cite_ref-Moore_2013_7-3) Moore, Candace (28 October 2013). ["How to Use Yoga Blocks"](https://www.yogabycandace.com/blog/2013/10/28/how-to-use-yoga-blocks). Yoga by Candace.
8.  [↑](#cite_ref-Olewitz_2019_8-0) Olewitz, Chloe (18 June 2019). ["The best yoga blocks you can buy"](https://www.businessinsider.com/best-yoga-blocks?r=US&IR=T#the-best-eco-friendly-yoga-block-4). [Business Insider](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Insider "Business Insider").
9.  [↑](#cite_ref-9) Swanson, Ann (2019). _Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect your Practice_. DK Publishing. p. 120\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-4654-7935-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4654-7935-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4654-7935-8"). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1030608283](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1030608283).
10.  [↑](#cite_ref-10) Mehta, Silva; [Mehta, Mira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mira_Mehta "Mira Mehta"); Mehta, Shyam (1990). _[Yoga: The Iyengar Way](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga:_The_Iyengar_Way "Yoga: The Iyengar Way")_. [Dorling Kindersley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorling_Kindersley "Dorling Kindersley"). p. 139\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0863184208](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0863184208 "Special:BookSources/978-0863184208").
11.  [1](#cite_ref-YY_11-0) [2](#cite_ref-YY_11-1) [Clark, Bernie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Clark_\(yoga_teacher\) "Bernie Clark (yoga teacher)"). ["Using Props in Yin Yoga"](https://yinyoga.com/using-props-in-yin-yoga/). [Yin Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yoga "Yin Yoga"). Retrieved 28 July 2019.