When we want to relax but remain fit, many of us seek yoga as the answer to our prayers.
It’s a therapeutic workout, giving us the time to feel the breaths in versus the breaths out, and it’s second-to-none in improving flexibility over just a short 1-2 hour session.
However, if you aren’t always the most bendy yogi, you may be on the lookout for the best cork yoga blocks around.
**Below, you'll find our hand-tested reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Cork Vs Foam Blocks
When looking for a new block, it’s important to get some information on what you want because there are just so many options out there.
Some of the most popular blocks are cork vs foam. What exactly is the difference? Is one better than the other? Here’s a quick pro/con list for you to determine your block needs:
Cork: Aka Your Eco-Friendly Block
- Eco-friendly.
- Less expensive and softer than wood blocks.
- Absorb sweat and odors.
- Can become dented with wear.
Foam: aka your lightweight block
- Less expensive than cork.
- More lightweight.
- Soft.
- Most common block used (durable and easy to clean).
- Can get dirty fairly easily.
- Not as eco-friendly as cork or wood.
- Can feel flimsy or less stable when using for support.
Back to Basics
Choosing your ideal yoga block boils down to deciding what results you want and what type of practice you’re involved in. However, if you are newer to yoga, don’t get too bogged down in the specific details of each type of block.
They are all manufactured to produce essentially the same results, so you really cannot go wrong so long as you have one. For those looking more deeply into a yoga block, it is important to note the material from which the block is made.
Yoga blocks are typically made out of either wood, cork, or polyethylene which can be either new or recycled. For me, I prefer the polyethylene block because it’s a scratch-resistant material and it has increased resistance to microbial growth, which makes it easier to clean and harder to build up gross bacterial from all the sweat and odors we hand over to it.
Advantages of a Yoga Block
Yoga blocks are a staple in practicing yoga, and for good reason. The best use of a yoga block is when you are first starting out. You will need a block in order to create the proper body positions during poses (think: half moon pose) that are either challenging your balance or your muscle length.
The yoga block will help you to create good body positions for yourself that you will use indefinitely as you continue to grow in your practice. They are a foundational tool, but they can also help provide a bit of resistance in certain positions to help increase your muscle strength.
For example, holding a block out in front of you may not seem like much, but you’re adding resistance to your arms, which will definitely provide you with some muscle strengthening the longer you are able to hold it.
How to pick the right Yoga Block for you
There are many different types of yoga blocks, but they can be lumped together in two different categories: size and material. We covered material above, so what’s so important about the sizing? There are several things to consider when choosing a yoga block size:
Hand size – if your hands are small, you may want to opt for a smaller (3”) block size.
Flexibility – if you are not a naturally bendy yogi, you may want to consider a taller block to help you in those deep-stretch poses if you are unable to reach the ground.
Stability – if you feel shaky using your current block during balance poses, you may want to use a wider block (4”) to help give you more support and stability during those tough balancing positions.
Uses for Yoga Blocks
We know that yoga blocks are used for balance and flexibility, but sometimes we want to know more about these “essentials” we are expected to buy for practice. Blocks are a great tool to use in order to achieve correct alignment during poses.
This may not sound like it makes a great deal of difference, but it most certainly does. Correct alignment means a faster progression in the practice, and a correct alignment means we don’t have to worry about injuries or odd pain from doing a pose incorrectly.
The yoga block also serves a purpose during relaxation. It is great to sit on during a meditation sequence, and it also works well when used with bolsters for restorative poses. It really is a versatile tool you can use throughout your yoga practice.
The best Cork Yoga Blocks
With all this valuable information we now have regarding our next yoga block purchase, naturally we want to see what the best cork yoga blocks out there are.
Not to worry, this next section will cover and review the best 5 yoga block products on the market now.
**Below, you'll find our hand-tested reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block
- Cork is a renewable and sustainable resource
- Naturally grippy texture
Last update on 2022-08-13 at 04:08 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cork yoga block is specifically designed to aid in supported backbends and select standing/sitting poses.
- This block is heavier, which will add stability, but may not be what you want if you like a lighter block.
- No hard edges.
- Sturdy – the sturdiness of this block is really going to help with balance poses and increasing stability during practice.
- These blocks are soft enough to use for restorative poses and with blankets, but also work in harder poses, as well.
- Harder to carry.
- Heavier if taking to a class, recommended for home use because they are harder to travel with.
- Can be clunky or hard to handle during transition poses.
Manduka Cork Block
- MANDUKA CORK BLOCK: Made of sustainable cork, this high-quality cork yoga block has a firmness not found in foam blocks and allows you to feel secure in the support it provides. Easy to grip textured surface-- Great for beginner to advanced yogis
- SAFE AND EFFECTIVE: Improve your practice by using blocks to maintain proper alignment, deepen your stretches, and to help stay safe by reducing injury and muscle strain. Perfect for restorative yoga classes, Pilates, meditation, fitness and exercise
Last update on 2022-08-13 at 04:08 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Eco-friendly – this block was made from 100% cork, harvested under strict regulations to conserve the cork oak tree.
- Produced without toxic chemicals.
- Doesn’t absorb the sweat and smell that other yoga blocks do.
- Extremely stable.
- Heavier than most blocks.
- More difficult to travel with due to it's weight.
- Little friction with dry ski.
Gaiam Cork Yoga Brick
- All-natural cork yoga block
- Helps refine alignment and balance
Last update on 2022-08-13 at 04:08 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This brick is specifically designed for better balance and positioning, and is recommended for Iyengar poses.
- Great for those with petite hands – not too difficult to grip.
- Less slippery than foam blocks – great for when your hands start to sweat.
- More firm, great for balancing.
- Contains no smell compared to foam blocks.
- Wears more quickly than other cork blocks.
- Thinner compared to other cork blocks.
- Hard – doesn’t give you much give like some other blocks do.
Gaiam Sol Natural Cork Yoga Block
- Helps extend reach and make more difficult poses accessible
- Provides durable (and recyclable) support during balance poses
Last update on 2019-11-26 at 19:50 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Durable.
- Excellent grip.
- Very sturdy – does not give under pressure.
- Provides good balance and support.
- The corners tend to wear easily if scraped.
In conclusion, the No products found.. While it is heavier than most of the other blocks on this list, it provides essential support and stability, especially for those trying to transition to more difficult movements and poses.
Additionally, it doesn’t absorb any sweat from you, which also means it doesn’t smell. This block is great for home use because of its weight, but it can definitely be used in the studio, as well. It is eco-friendly and provides a comfortable grip, which is imperative when performing newer skills.
This block serves many purposes for all types of practitioners, so it is the most well-rounded block in this review, and it takes the top spot for best yoga cork block.