The unBLoK by Manduka review

As many of you know, I've taken up Yoga since the beginning of the year.  As a runner, we tend to get quite tight.  In fact, I didn't realize how inflexible I really was until I started doing yoga.

Yoga has helped me tremendously for my running.  It has helped increase my flexibility so that I'm a better runner and I don't get as many aches and pains as I used to.  Given that my flexibility is still not there, many of the poses that I see, I just can't quite get there yet.  I mean, have you seen some of these crazy poses?

With that, in comes the unBLoK from Manduka.  While this can be used for experienced people who do yoga, as a beginner, I find that this has been a useful tool for me.  Here's what I received for review:

Manduka unBLoK

So essentially what this is a hard foam block prop that you can use as you do your yoga positions.  For example, I cannot quite get fully extended so my hands are flat when doing a Sun Salutation.  When I use the unBLoK, I can put my hands on this so that it helps me keep the right form and prevents me from stretching too far and hurting myself.

According to the company, it has several features:

• Function meets form - iconic contoured design
• Dual-function in one prop - creates gentle spine support and stability for standing poses
• Slip-resistant finish - smooth but easy to grip
• Eco-friendly material - made from over 50% Recycled EVA Foam

I especially like #2 and #4 above.  It absolutely helps with your form and I love all companies that can include recycling in their products.  Here's also a few more pictures of the product so you can get an idea of size.  It's quite compact and would also be very easy to travel with.

For comparison, I wear an 8.5 size shoe

To help celebrate the launch of the unBLOK, Manduka has kicked-off a digital campaign, the unBLOK party‹celebrating community yoga studios nationwide.  Yogis are encouraged to nominate and vote for the studios that helped them "unblock" in their practice for a chance to win a range of prizes! 

Here's a copy of the press release that was recently sent to me with additional information:

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LOS ANGELES (April 30, 2013) ‹Manduka, purveyor of high performance yoga gear and the #1 choice of yoga teachers worldwide, revealed today the latest addition to its innovative family of yoga mats, props and accessories‹the Recycled Foam unBLOK.  Thoughtfully designed to be the most versatile foam block in the market, the unBLOK¹s functional, sleek design, user-friendly shape and high quality eco-friendly materials will help provide yoga practitioners versatility in traditional poses, offering a deeper, more natural support throughout their practice.

Inspired by the unblocking that naturally occurs when you have a powerful yoga session, Manduka is supporting the launch with a digital campaign celebrating the community spaces that help practitioners achieve breakthroughs: local yoga studios. Kicking off today, the unBLOK party campaign and contest encourages yogis to nominate their local studio viaFacebook, sharing how their favorite practice space helps them ³unblock² and return to the world with new clarity.

³Manduka's mission is to soulfully engineer yoga gear to help people inspire the practice of yoga and find personal breakthroughs,² said Sky Meltzer, CEO Manduka.  ³Many of these breakthroughs happen in a yoga studio environment. We are encouraging our community to give thanks to the people and places who have helped them on their path, acknowledging our local studios for their huge role in our practice and our lives.²

Through the unBLOK party campaign and contest, Manduka is making it easy for practitioners to show their studio some love.  Simply:

Nominate‹Head over to Manduka¹s Facebook page and answer a few questions on your inspirational studio. Manduka will thank you with a special offer.

Select‹Manduka will select five studio nominations to feature on a dedicated landing page: www.manduka.com/unBLOKParty.  The selected studios will be outfitted in Manduka yoga gear.  Additionally, five people who nominate will be gifted with an unBLOK kit.

Vote‹The community will be encouraged to visit the unBLOK landing page to vote for their studio of choice.  The winning studio will receive additional Manduka yoga gear and an ŒunBLOK¹ party‹an in-studio experience inclusive of yoga taught by a high-profile teacher followed by a celebration with music, food and product giveaways.

Give‹Manduka will sponsor a teacher or teachers at the winning studio to do their own seva work bringing yoga to an underserved area in their local community.

Nominations are open starting today and will run through May 21.  Voting on www.manduka.com/unBLOKparty will begin May 31.

For more information on Manduka, please visit: www.manduka.com join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mandukayoga or follow us @MandukaYoga

About Manduka Founded in 1997, Manduka was built on the simple idea that a better yoga mat can make a world of difference. Manduka strives to support and enrich the yoga community by providing premium quality mats and products while respecting employees, customers, materials, and the environment.  Created for and by yoga enthusiasts, Manduka¹s technical and purpose-driven product designs meet and often exceed the distinct needs of all practitioners.  Today Manduka¹s products, which include yoga mats, towels, yoga straps, water bottles, and bags, are sold in more than 35 countries around the world. Not only focusing on superior design, Manduka also promotes their ethos of quality, thoughtfulness and sustainability in all realms of their business.

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Sorry, I'm a little late on the nominations since I received my unBLoK after that date but you still have an opportunity to vote and a chance to win through their contest on Facebook.   As I'm sure you will agree, anything to help you improve for running is a product worth trying out.

Here's a coupon code for some savings too.  Click HERE.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

* Note - I received a unBLoK by Manduka in exchange for this review.  All opinions on this blog post are my own and I was not paid or required to give a particular opinion on the product.