How to Balance on a Yoga Block

Using a yoga block during your workout can increase the challenge of your yoga exercises. Yoga blocks help create a more unsteady surface requiring you to keep focus and maintain balance. Increase your stability and core strength by learning to balance on a yoga block.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Yoga block
• Yoga mat

1. Place the yoga block on the floor in the center of the mat. Stand behind the block and take a couple of deep breaths before you begin the exercise.
2. Step up on the yoga block, one foot at a time. Use your core strength to maintain your balance. Stand tall with an elongated spine and with your arms relaxed gently at your sides.
3. Perform the toe-balance exercise. Press the balls of your feet into the block and raise your heels up. Lift yourself as high as you can onto your tip-toes. Elongate your spine as much as possible. Inhale as you raise your heels up and hold the pose for a couple of seconds. Work to maintain balance as the block begins to wobble. Exhale as you lower your heels and return to the starting position.
4. Repeat the exercise and check your body alignment from bottom to top. Proper alignment helps you maintain balance. Make sure your knees are over your ankles, your hips are over your knees and your head is over the center of your body.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are too unstable, hold on to a partner or wall while you perform the exercise.
• Use wooden or bamboo yoga blocks to decrease the challenge of the exercise.