My 3 Favorite Ways to Use a Yoga Block in My Barre Class

Although the yoga block has been a staple in yoga classes for decades, it’s fairly new when it comes to bring used as a prop in the barre world. For those not too familiar with it, a typical yoga block is rectangular in shape measuring 9in x 4.5in x 3in. It can be made out of hard foam, bamboo, cork or wood and comes in an array of colors. To change things up in my classes without too much extra thinking on my part, I like to use the block to replace the small pilates ball. It helps create a greater challenge by adding different height levels, instability and resistance, thus causing quicker muscle fatigue. I love a multi-functioning prop and one that can be used throughout my whole workout and I would love to share my three favorite ways to the yoga block in my barre classes with you!

1.) Upper Body. If you are just getting familiar with the yoga block and want to dip your toe into different ways to use this prop, probably the easiest way is to use it during your Warm-Up because it can seamlessly replace the small Pilates ball without any change in choreo . I like to use it as a “place holder” during cardio to act as a point of reference and help with hand-eye coordination. During marches I pass the block under the leg, or use it to add in upper body and core work during Center Legs. If you want to add a little extra spice during Weighted Arms, try the block in-between the elbows to challenge the arms to stay 90°. Down on the mat, try placing the block either under one hand or under the knees for push-ups for an extra challenge with height change.

2.) Core. Using the yoga block in core work definitely helps make the ordinary, extraordinary! Just like upper body, the easiest way is to think of how you use the small pilates ball and replace it with the block: pass block behind legs during Scissors, switch placement between hands and feet during Lower and Lifts or place the block in between the knees during Teasers. If you are really wanting to take it up a notch, try adding it into different Plank variations. The block can be placed under a hand, foot or even on top of the back to focus on proper form and add in a balance challenge!

3.) Lower Body. The options for how to implement the yoga block with a lower body focus are endless! For lunges, squats or 2nd position pliés, I like to play around with placing the block under one foot for a height level change and quicker muscle fatigue. Down on the mat, place the block behind a knee in All 4’s for deeper glute and hamstring engagement or on top of the back during a Hover series to really ignite the core and quads. At the barre, try placing the block under one foot during a Forward Fold series or for Relevés.

If you haven’t already added the yoga block to your box of tricks, hopefully I have gotten you excited to give them a try! Because it is so easily interchangeable with the small pilates ball, it’s a great way to make an ordinary exercise extraordinary and it works for every aspect of the workout - upper body, core work and lower body! Your classes and clients will be having so much fun, they will forget about the burn!

Ready to take your classes to the next level with fun and creative ways to use not only the yoga block, but gliding discs, resistance bands, weights and more?! Join me for our next Raising the Barre Workshop! Find out more here!

Cheers,

Heather McCreight