At JOY2BWell's weekly Gentle Stretch Class, clients are instructed through brief "rolling" sequences. For some, it is a love-not-so-love relationship. As promised to my clients - and other JOY2BWell fans/followers - this article is to provide, in simple terms the why and what of rolling.
For the how, consider joining us at a future Gentle Stretch session (if you've never been).
For my clients, this piece should help ... just be ready and breathe ... let's have a ball rollin' rollin' rollin' into 2020 for less pain and more movement!
Why?
Rolling helps with our fascia that can become restricted which in turn negatively affects your muscles and joints proper function. In short, rolling tames those misbehaved fibers so your movement may improve for daily living.
To further clarify, our bodies have different categories of fascia: superficial, deep and loose.
What?
Ball work is like a microstretch component of a session. The beauty of this addition to one's exercise plan is it helps those areas all "tied in a knot" due to poor nutrition, scar tissue, emotional holding, injury, overuse or other reasons. It improves local blood circulation - which promotes healing to those achy areas.
Why does it hurt "so good" (and not-so-good)?
Such a valid question! When you roll - most likely - you will come across knots, bumps and clumps that are hard, uncooperative, stubborn and even painful. These are known as trigger points. To help with these areas, we roll our "friendly neighbors" (the surrounding tissues) as well.
Last week, we kicked off our Tuesday evening class with a lengthy sequence to address tightness in the upper back. It took about 25 minutes, as it involved the cervical spine and thoracic spine. Then, we spent the remaining time in our "bliss" zone. We also roll in our Wednesday class; however, the sequences tend to be shorter. Even group sessions are customized to who is in the room...the beauty of a small, intimate setting. Rolling is also incorporated into private personal training sessions as well as needed.
Other specific areas we have addressed with rolling have been: rotator cuff, IT Band, low back, quadratus lumborum, buttocks, neck, face/jaw, ankles/feet and much more.
Every part of our body is interconnected. It is important to view your body as a whole. You've got one life. Let's manage it well - along with our breath, attitude, intention, and yes - even those painful spots screaming for relief.
Be Well. Live Well.
Hope you found this helpful!
Leave a comment about this blog or if you'd like to join a future Gentle Stretch class, visit our class schedule to reserve your spot.
I'd love to hear what you would like see more of in this blog as well! Have a super day! And, may I add ... move often!
For the how, consider joining us at a future Gentle Stretch session (if you've never been).
For my clients, this piece should help ... just be ready and breathe ... let's have a ball rollin' rollin' rollin' into 2020 for less pain and more movement!
Why?
Rolling helps with our fascia that can become restricted which in turn negatively affects your muscles and joints proper function. In short, rolling tames those misbehaved fibers so your movement may improve for daily living.
To further clarify, our bodies have different categories of fascia: superficial, deep and loose.
- Superficial - located below the skin comprised of loose web-like collagen fibers in a matrix of fat cells. 98 percent of our body is made up of this type.
- Deep - very organized and is found surrounding our muscles. It can be described as having a duct-tape appearance.
- Loose - interconnecting layer between deep fascia and myofascia (a term used interchangeably with muscle) and between deep and superficial fascia layers. Now, this category may, at first seem like the ugly stepsister...but not true. Loose fascia permits the "slide and glide" all over the body. "Slide and Glide" is defined as the ability of motion and movement to occur between fascias and the structures to interconnect. I suspect, without this category, we would move like R2D2!
What?
Ball work is like a microstretch component of a session. The beauty of this addition to one's exercise plan is it helps those areas all "tied in a knot" due to poor nutrition, scar tissue, emotional holding, injury, overuse or other reasons. It improves local blood circulation - which promotes healing to those achy areas.
Why does it hurt "so good" (and not-so-good)?
Such a valid question! When you roll - most likely - you will come across knots, bumps and clumps that are hard, uncooperative, stubborn and even painful. These are known as trigger points. To help with these areas, we roll our "friendly neighbors" (the surrounding tissues) as well.
Last week, we kicked off our Tuesday evening class with a lengthy sequence to address tightness in the upper back. It took about 25 minutes, as it involved the cervical spine and thoracic spine. Then, we spent the remaining time in our "bliss" zone. We also roll in our Wednesday class; however, the sequences tend to be shorter. Even group sessions are customized to who is in the room...the beauty of a small, intimate setting. Rolling is also incorporated into private personal training sessions as well as needed.
Other specific areas we have addressed with rolling have been: rotator cuff, IT Band, low back, quadratus lumborum, buttocks, neck, face/jaw, ankles/feet and much more.
Every part of our body is interconnected. It is important to view your body as a whole. You've got one life. Let's manage it well - along with our breath, attitude, intention, and yes - even those painful spots screaming for relief.
Be Well. Live Well.
Hope you found this helpful!
Leave a comment about this blog or if you'd like to join a future Gentle Stretch class, visit our class schedule to reserve your spot.
I'd love to hear what you would like see more of in this blog as well! Have a super day! And, may I add ... move often!