Gaiam All Grip Yoga Block

Ever been in a yoga class, find you need a little extra help in supporting your body, and reach for your block? Only problem is, mid-pose, it often slips from your fingers or just rolls over on the ground, refusing to “come” as a good dog might.

The All Grip Yoga Block by Spri Products parent Gaiam could be the answer to your woes.

First of all, for those who haven’t used a block, they are mandatory unless you are the yoga Gumby queen or king. They help your fingertips or hands find a stable platform to attain a safe and correct posture even if you can’t quite reach the floor or your feet, for example in a Triangle pose. They also help you support your head and upper body for example if you just kind of hang there when you’re supposed to be closer to the ground, such as in a forward reaching position. And it can support butterflied knees that are feeling the strain of the butterfly, for example. You can even sit on one to help out less flexible hips.

But usually you find you need the block after getting part-way into the pose. What makes the All Grip block special is the multi-level cut-out in the center, allowing your finger trips to gain a grip and move it into the position you need or to hold it without strain. We love the concept really – it feels like a whack-on-the-head product idea, to be honest.

We had several testers of various levels of experience – none were advanced, however, and one had never used a block at all – and all liked the concept, especially the less limber. Said one, “With the yoga block, I was able to do the proper form and use the block to stabilize myself and alleviate that strain. Also, because it was alleviating the strain, I could maintain my balance better and focus more rather than get distracted by ‘oh, I can’t touch my toes’ or ‘oops, I’m losing my balance and about to topple over.’” You just gotta hate the “yikes, I’m toppling” distraction from the inner calm and deep breaths that help keep yoga special.

We like the way our fingers can curl on the inside of the block for a secure grip and that the hole was available no matter what side you put it on.

Now, there was one moment when it was a tad uncomfortable – when you might sit on it for a lift to relieve back or hips. The cut-out hole allows your butt to sink in and it just feels weird. One solution is to put a blanket on top but you don’t always have a blanket handy either. Nor do you want to fool around with that distracting fold-and-place scenario. However, if you put it on the long end, the hole would be on the side sans hold, although the seating platform would then be narrower, which was also a bit uncomfortable for some.

Either way, we liked the soft-touch surface and the cut-out enough to want it in all our sessions. And it’s inexpensive enough that you could buy a second one that’s solid if you do like sitting on your block.

SNEWS® Rating: 4.5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $14.98 

For more information:www.gaiam.com