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Just lie down and get ready to feel the relief.

Griffin Wynne (they/them) is a Staff Writer for HuffPost cover shopping, trends and digital culture.

According to Jennifer Purwin, a former yoga teacher and physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health and orthopedics at FemFirstHealth in Manhattan, the relief you feel when lying on yoga blocks (or other yoga props) comes from your muscles being externally supported and able to relax, allowing gravity to do the heavy work. 

“That might be a block underneath the thorax or the ribcage, one under your head, maybe on the outsides of your knees. Once you’re in a position where you’re not having to contract your inner thigh muscles, your glutes — the muscle gets this opportunity to passively lengthen.” 

Of course, in addition to these passive deep stretches, Purwin says that blocks are also great for more active poses in yoga, Pilates or any sort of stretching at home. Whether you’re doing lunges or trying to bend over and touch your toes, having a rectangular block, which you can use on any of the three heights for extra length can bring the floor to you, helps you make the most of your practice. 

Below is my favorite yoga block, as well as some top-rated items that come highly recommended from reviewers. Most of them measure 9x6x4 inches, but they all have different weights and densities for your personal preferences.  

If you're looking for something a little heavier, these fine-grain cork blocks weigh a little over two pounds making them extra firm and sturdy in your practice. They measure 9x6x4 inches and have a natural texture to them that can make them steady in the hand. 

Promising review: "Upgraded to these from foam yoga blocks that I've had for years. The cork weighs a whole lot more but can really support your weight and make you feel stable if you're trying to put a lot of weight on the blocks. Highly recommend these." —REF

Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in two sizes).

Jumpstart your home setup with this budget-friendly set of two EVA foam blocks and an 8-foot D-ring strap. These 9x6x4-inch blocks are incredibly lightweight, coming it at .35 pounds each, with a soft, non-slip surface that will keep your grip. 

Promising review: "These work perfectly to enhance my yoga practice. Firm and stable without being rock hard and digging if I use them for back support or under hips." —Jennifer F.

Get two from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in four colors).

Looking for something a little more vibrant? This .68-pound block comes in 15 colors and patterns, giving you a little self-expression as you stretch. They're 100% EVA foam, measure the classic 9x6x4 inches with beveled edges for added comfort. 

Promising review: "I picked up the Everyday Yoga Foam Block with Soft Non-Slip Surface for Stability, Balance, as I'm an older person who is not so flexible in certain areas of my body and need a little help with balance. It does the job, in one of my favorite colors, no less. Highly recommend." —scandia

Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in three sizes).

This yoga block is made from EVA foam in an eye-catching marble and measures 9.8x5.9x3.5 inches. It's super lightweight, at just over half a pound, and strikes the balance of being firm with some give.

Promising review: "I bought this for pilates exercises and for a heel cushion in oversplits. I love the swirly pattern and the firm but not too hard material. It looks like it will last a long time!" —d097

Get it from Lululemon for $24 (available in three colors).

Of course, if you're just looking to test a block out, this foam option costs $8 and weighs less than half a pound. It measures 9x6x4 inches and comes in this dreamy sky blue that you'll love to look at. 

Promising review: "If you need a yoga block, this is a great basic option! It does everything it needs to do and the price point is hard to beat! The blue color is beautiful and clean." —Crystal

As Purwin describes, in a healthy muscle contraction, the protein filaments in your muscles pull toward each other and then go back to their baseline. Yet, when your muscles are tight, it means these lines of protein are stuck too close together.

“You can try doing a more aggressive stretch, but if you’re allowing time and gentle gravity to happen, you’re allowing for this lengthening, where these protein filaments to just slide back where they should be. You’re allowing these structures to relax back to a baseline that is healthy, and from there, you have more power.” 

Purwin recommends the passive pose seen below, which is easy to do at home and doesn’t require extreme strength, flexibility or equipment.