Todays post I am going to show you another way that you can gain flexibility. This is one of my favourite ways and I can’t wait to share this with you.
If you have been following me for a while and you have done some of my online yoga classes you will know that I am always talking bout how the whole body is connected.
We have bones, muscles, tendons and in between all that is fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds all the organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves and muscle it holds everything in place. Fascia actually has nerves and it makes it almost as sensitive as skin. Fascia Tightness can cause pain and stiffness in the body.
This is why I’m going to show you how you can use an acupuncture ball to release this tightness which in turn can make your body more flexible. If you don’t own any acupuncture balls you can always use tennis balls or anything that’s firm and round that you can put weight on.
If you are tight in 1 area sometime working on the flexibility and stretching isn’t enough because it may not be the muscle that we need to work on. It can be the stuff around the muscle. The Fascia!
This is where a ball comes in. You are basically going to give yourself a massage with this, putting weight on it to release some tension and tightness on places that stretching doesn’t really help. Let me explain exactly how to use it.
Feet – Place the ball on the floor and put the ball of your foot (just below the toes) on the ball, put as much weight as you can on the ball and do slow circles on the bottom of the foot.
Move the ball to the centre of your foot, underneath the arch of your foot and do the same thing, make small circles on your foot. This can feel really uncomfortable especially if you are tight there. Put as much weight on it as you can without feeling pain.
Then move it to the heel of your foot and again do small circle movements.
Doing this massages the low feet, it releases the tight fascia and can gain you flexibility in the whole body. The whole body is connected and when you are feeling tight it may be in a completely different place then you think!
Some more ways to use this ball is to place it under your calve muscle, the back of your knee, your hamstring and your bum. Sit on the floor and again use your hands to roll your body over the ball. Massaging the parts of the body that are on the ball.
The same with your back, neck and upper arms. Place the ball on a wall and lean against it. Pushing your weight into the ball and rolling it in circles for a little massage.
If you try this let me know how you feel after. Id Love to know your thoughts.
I hope this helps
If you are looking to get a little deeper into your flexibility check out The Mindful Stretch Program. A Program designed with you in mind. Work with the time you have and the energy you have to find the perfect practice to mindfully gain flexibility as quickly as your body will allow.
Leah
xx