Hello beautiful yogis! Brienne Derosier here, your friendly neighborhood wellness designer, sustainable interior designer, and mindful yogi. Today, we’re diving into one of those yoga accessories that often gets overlooked or misunderstood — the humble yoga block. Or, if you’re in the UK, a yoga brick. (Which honestly sounds like it could be a medieval weapon, but I promise it’s way more helpful than a castle siege tool!)
If you’ve ever wandered into a yoga studio, seen those little rectangular blocks on the shelves, and thought, “Hmm, what on earth do I do with those?” — you’re not alone. Yoga blocks often get pigeonholed as “beginner props” or “something for people who can’t touch their toes"... but that could not be further from the truth.
Yoga blocks are magic little tools that can support and deepen your practice, no matter your level, style, or flexibility. And just like your yoga mat, not all blocks are created equal. Today, I’m going to walk you through the three most common yoga block materials — wood, cork, and foam — and share insights on which block fits best with your practice style, your eco-values, and your yoga goals.
What Is a Yoga Block?
For the yoga newbies among us, a yoga block is essentially a rectangular or sometimes slightly curved support tool used to help you achieve better alignment, stability, and access in your yoga poses (or asanas). They are usually about 9 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4 inches thick — perfect for supporting your hands, feet, or even your head.
Think of them as the helpful sidekick to your yoga practice, giving you a little lift (literally and figuratively) when you need it. Whether it’s to bridge the gap when your fingertips can’t quite reach the floor, to prop your hips up in a seated pose, or to provide a sturdy base for restorative postures, yoga blocks can make your time on the mat safer, more comfortable, and more effective.
Alright, now that we’re all on the same page about what a yoga block is, let’s dig into the pros, cons, and best uses for the three most popular materials: wood, cork, and foam.
Wooden Yoga Blocks: The Strong, Steady, Sustainable Classic
Let’s start with the heavyweight champion of yoga blocks — wood. Wooden blocks are the heaviest and hardest of the three materials we’re exploring today. But don’t let the “heavy” label scare you off — this density is exactly what makes them so stable and supportive, especially for certain styles of yoga.
Why Wood?
Wooden blocks, particularly those made from sustainably sourced wood like balsa or bamboo, are often considered the most eco-friendly option. They’re biodegradable, durable, and carry a natural, earthy aesthetic that just feels so aligned with the spirit of yoga. Be sure to ask retailers about the sealants involved with wood and bamboo blocks to ensure hidden toxic adhesives or sealants will not be off-gassing harmful chemical fumes into your yoga space.
Shout-out to Mache’s Balsa Wood Yoga Blocks — these luxury yoga blocks are crafted from sustainably-harvested balsa wood, known for its ultra-lightweight nature and rapid growth cycle. Mache has nailed sustainability by responsibly sourcing reclaimed balsa from a Nicaraguan non-profit organization.
Best For…
Wood blocks are fantastic for restorative yoga practices. These are the sessions where you’re more likely to rest gently on your blocks for long periods, sinking deeply into poses that encourage relaxation, healing, and myo-fascial self-massage. The solid, unyielding support of wood means you won’t have to worry about your block shifting or compressing under your body weight.
Three Restorative Poses Enhanced by Wooden Blocks
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Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana):
Place one or two wooden blocks under your sacrum (the base of your spine) as you lift your hips. The steady support lets your body fully relax into the backbend, opening your chest and hips without muscle strain. The firm block also gently massages the myo-fascial tissue across the sacral bone, which feels amazing after a long day. -
Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana):
Placing wooden blocks under your knees in this reclined butterfly pose can ease tightness in the inner thighs while your back rests fully supported on the floor or a bolster. The firmness provides a grounded feeling that deepens relaxation. -
Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani):
Use a wooden block under your sacrum for a mild inversion that’s both restful and rejuvenating. The stability of the block ensures you feel secure, so you can stay in the pose longer and let the nervous-system calming benefits wash over you. Marinate in this restorative inversion for up to 10 mins.
Cork Yoga Blocks: The Balanced, Everyday Eco-Friendly Favorite
Next up, let’s talk about cork. Cork blocks are often tied with wooden blocks for sustainability, and for good reason! Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, primarily in Portugal and Spain. The harvesting process is actually pretty incredible — the bark is carefully stripped off every 9-12 years without harming the tree, which continues to grow and produce more cork. It’s like a natural renewable resource that keeps giving back.
Pros and Cons of Cork
Cork blocks are lighter than wood but denser than foam, making them a great middle ground. They have a natural texture that’s both tactile and grippy — which helps keep your blocks from sliding around on your mat. They’re also warm visually and absorb sound, which creates a calming environment on your mat.
A couple of downsides? Cork blocks can get a little crumbly over time, especially if you expose them to water or sweat a lot. But with proper care (wiping them down and letting them dry), they can last a long time.
Best For…
Cork blocks are a fantastic choice for everyday yogis who enjoy a moderately vigorous practice — think Hatha yoga classes that blend gentle flow with static postures. Their moderate weight makes them easy to move around your mat, so you don’t have to pause your practice to chase down a runaway block.
Three Hatha Yoga Poses Perfect for Cork Blocks
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Triangle Pose (Trikonasana):
Place a cork block on the floor beside your front foot to support your lower hand. This elevates the floor for you, making the pose more accessible if your hamstrings or hips feel tight, and helps you maintain length in your spine. -
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana):
Use a cork block under your lower hand for extra height and stability. This allows you to balance more easily and focus on opening your chest without collapsing into your shoulders. -
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana):
Place a cork block between your thighs or under your knees to ease the stretch. This helps prevent over-rounding the back and supports gentle hamstring lengthening.
Product Recommendation
For a fantastic cork block option, check out these Natural Cork Yoga Blocks. They offer a beautiful balance of grip, durability, and eco-conscious production, perfect for your everyday practice.
Foam Yoga Blocks: The Light, Fast, and Functional Option (With a Side of Caution)
Last but certainly not least, foam yoga blocks are a popular choice — especially for beginners or yogis who want to keep their practice light and portable. Most foam blocks are made from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam, which is soft, lightweight, and slightly cushioned.
The Not-So-Great Side of EVA Foam
Here’s the catch: EVA foam has raised some health and environmental concerns. It’s a type of plastic that doesn’t biodegrade and can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which some people find irritating or unhealthy over long exposures. EVA foam has even been banned in some places/countries due to these concerns.
If you’re curious, I’ve gone into much more detail on the environmental impact of plastics in yoga gear in this Wellness Onion article.
Best For…
Foam blocks shine in fast-moving yoga styles like Vinyasa and Ashtanga, where you’re flowing quickly from one pose to the next. Because they’re light, you can easily reposition them under your hands, feet, or hips without breaking your rhythm. Foam blocks are also gentle and cushy, making them great for elderly yogis, children, or anyone recovering from injury.
A Cleaning Heads-Up
Foam blocks can be tricky to clean and don’t handle moisture well, so regular UV sanitization or careful wiping is recommended if you want them to stay fresh and safe.
Three Vinyasa/Ashtanga Poses That Benefit From Foam Blocks
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Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose):
Placing foam blocks under your hands can reduce wrist strain and help you maintain proper alignment as you lower halfway to the floor. The soft surface is forgiving while still providing solid support. -
Lizard Pose (Utthan Pristhasana):
Foam blocks under your forearms help elevate your upper body for deeper hip opening while cushioning your elbows on the floor. -
Crow Pose (Bakasana):
Using foam blocks under your feet, hands or head during preparation can build strength and balance safely by giving you a little extra lift and confidence before you try the full pose.
Product Recommendation
If foam is your preferred choice, consider Recycled Foam Yoga Blocks, which incorporate recycled materials where possible to reduce environmental impact. They’re lightweight, durable, and designed with your fast-paced flow in mind.
The Final Om: Why Yoga Blocks Are Essential for Every Practice
So there you have it — wood, cork, foam, oh my! I hope this little tour through the world of yoga block materials has given you a better sense of how these simple tools can truly elevate your practice.
Yoga blocks aren’t just for beginners or people who “can’t do yoga properly.” They are transformative props that bring stability, comfort, and deeper awareness to yogis of all stripes and levels.
Choosing the right block material depends on your personal style, your yoga goals, and your values around sustainability and health. Whether you opt for the steady strength of wood, the balanced warmth of cork, or the lightweight flexibility of foam, having a block (or two!) in your yoga toolkit will open new doors in your practice.
Still a bit unsure about investing in your own blocks? No worries! Many yoga studios offer prop-supported classes where you can test drive different types of blocks before committing. You can easily find studios near you that use yoga props via ClassPass here.
Remember, yoga is all about finding what works best for your body, mind, and soul — and your yoga block might just become your new best friend on that journey.
Namaste and happy block hunting!
