Yoga blocks are simple props that make many poses more comfortable and accessible, especially if your hips and hamstrings feel tight.
Why use blocks
Blocks bring the floor closer, helping you keep good alignment without straining to reach. This makes gentle stretching feel more supported.
Simple ideas
Place a block under each hand in a forward fold, or under the hips in a supported reclined pose, to let the body relax into a gentle stretch.
Practice gently
Move slowly, never force a stretch, and work within a comfortable range. Explore our wooden yoga blocks.
This article shares general wellness and lifestyle ideas only and is not medical advice. A sadhu board is a relaxation and mindfulness tool, not a treatment or cure for any medical condition. If you have a health concern, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new practice.
Handcrafted wooden yoga block - made by us in Kostopil
If you are researching wooden yoga blocks after reading this piece, the block Eugene uses in his own daily practice is available directly from our workshop. Solid ash, kiln-dried, hand-sanded, food-safe finish. Made to order. Ships worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
How does a yoga block help with tight hips?
A block lifts the hips higher than the knees in seated positions, which reduces strain on the hip flexors and lets the pelvis tilt forward naturally. Roman's 23 x 15 x 10 cm ash block gives three lift heights so you can dial in the exact support your body needs today. Eugene uses the tall side for his morning seated practice at the Kostopil workshop. See /products/wooden-yoga-brick.
Where do I place a block for tight hamstrings in forward fold?
Put a block under each hand at the tallest setting (23 cm) in a standing forward fold. This raises the floor to meet your hands, so you can lengthen the spine without straining the hamstrings. Move to medium (15 cm) after a few weeks, then flat (10 cm) as flexibility improves. Eugene teaches this progression at Kostopil open days. Details at /collections/yoga-products.
Can two blocks help more than one for tight hips?
Yes, especially for supported reclined poses. Place one block under the sacrum and a second at a slightly lower height for the hips to rest into. Alex offers matched pairs at /products/wooden-yoga-brick where Roman grain-matches the two blocks. For asymmetric hip tightness, custom heights are available via metadeskukraine@gmail.com with a 2 to 4 week lead time from the Kostopil workshop.
How long should I hold a block-supported hip stretch?
Start with 60 to 90 seconds per side, breathing steadily and moving out earlier if anything feels sharp. Eugene practices supported hip openers for about 3 minutes per side after a workshop day, but he built to that gradually. The wooden block does not compress, so your body stays in the position you set. Stay within an easy range; blocks make comfort possible. Browse /collections/yoga-products.
Is there a custom block designed for hip work?
Alex offers a slightly taller 25 x 15 x 12 cm hip block through metadeskukraine@gmail.com for practitioners with unusually tight hips who need extra elevation in seated positions. Roman cuts these to order at the Kostopil workshop with a 2 to 4 week lead time. Standard 23 x 15 x 10 cm blocks from /products/wooden-yoga-brick suit most bodies; contact Alex if you are unsure which fits you.
Explore our handcrafted boards: all sadhu boards · in stock & ready to ship · bestsellers. Free worldwide shipping and a free consultation with every order.
About the author. This piece was written by Eugene Oliynyk, founder of METADESK, together with the workshop team in Kostopil, Ukraine. Eugene has practiced daily on sadhu boards since 2018, including the most advanced 20Â mm nail-spacing boards. METADESK has been handcrafting wooden wellness tools since 2016. Reach the team at metadeskukraine@gmail.com.