I love foam rolling! In the last few weeks I have been spending anywhere from 4 - 30 minutes rolling on my foam roller and I am feeling amazing now! I realise that I have had so much tension in my fascia. As a Remedial Massage Therapist and Pilates Instructor I recommend foam rolling to many of my clients due to its benefits.
Foam rolling is also known as self-myofascial release. It involves using a cylindrical piece of foam to massage and release tension in muscles.
Here are the benefits of foam rolling:
1. Improved flexibility and range of motion: Foam rolling helps to stretch and lengthen muscles, which can improve flexibility and range of motion. This can be especially beneficial for athletes and individuals engaging in regular physical activity.
2. Reduced muscle soreness and tension: Foam rolling can help to alleviate muscle soreness and tension by breaking up knots and adhesions in the muscles, which can develop from overuse or injury.
3. Enhanced recovery: By promoting blood flow to the muscles, foam rolling can aid in the recovery process after exercise or physical activity. This can help to reduce recovery time and improve overall performance.
4. Prevention of injury: Foam rolling can help to identify areas of tightness or imbalance in the muscles, which can be addressed before they lead to injury. By regularly foam rolling, individuals can maintain better muscle health and reduce the risk of injury.
5. Improved circulation: Foam rolling helps to stimulate blood flow to the muscles, which can promote the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. This can aid in muscle repair and recovery.
6. Relaxation and stress relief: Foam rolling can have a relaxing effect on the body and mind, similar to receiving a massage. This can help to reduce stress and promote overall feelings of well-being.
7. Cost-effective and convenient: Foam rolling can be done almost anywhere and requires minimal equipment, making it a cost-effective and convenient way to improve muscle health and performance.
Overall, foam rolling is a valuable tool for enhancing flexibility, reducing muscle soreness, and improving overall muscle health and performance.
I definitely recommend you giving it a go and if you need help - please reach out.
Back tightness is a common complaint that affects people of all ages and lifestyles. Whether it's the result of poor posture, muscle imbalances, or injury, dealing with a tight back can be uncomfortable and debilitating. However, there's good news: Pilates, a form of exercise that focuses on strengthening the core, improving flexibility, and promoting overall body alignment, can be highly effective in relieving back tightness and preventing future issues.
Understanding the Causes of Back Tightness:
Before delving into how Pilates can help alleviate back tightness, it's essential to understand the various factors that can contribute to this discomfort. Some common causes include:
1. Muscle Imbalances: Weakness in the core muscles and imbalances between the muscles of the back, abdomen, hips, and legs can lead to tightness and discomfort in the back.
2. Poor Posture: Prolonged periods of sitting, slouching, or engaging in activities that promote poor posture can strain the muscles of the back and contribute to tightness.
3. Overuse or Injury: Engaging in activities that involve repetitive movements, lifting heavy objects improperly, or experiencing sudden trauma can strain the muscles of the back and lead to tightness and discomfort.
4. Stress and Tension: Emotional stress, anxiety, and tension can manifest physically in the body, leading to tightness and muscle tension, including in the back.
Why Pilates Works:
Pilates offers a holistic approach to addressing back tightness by focusing on strengthening the core muscles, improving flexibility, and promoting proper alignment and body awareness.
Here's why Pilates can be effective:
1. Core Strengthening: Pilates targets the deep stabilizing muscles of the core, including the abdominals, obliques, and pelvic floor muscles. A strong core helps support the spine and pelvis, reducing strain on the muscles of the back and promoting better posture.
2. Improved Flexibility: Pilates incorporates dynamic stretching and lengthening exercises that help improve flexibility in the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the spine and pelvis. Increased flexibility can alleviate tightness and improve range of motion in the back.
3. Body Awareness: Pilates emphasizes precision and control in movement, helping individuals develop greater body awareness and proprioception. This heightened awareness allows for better alignment and movement patterns, reducing the risk of strain and injury in the back.
4. Low-Impact Nature: Many Pilates exercises are low-impact and can be modified to suit individuals of all fitness levels and abilities. This makes Pilates accessible to those with back tightness or other physical limitations.
Beneficial Pilates Exercises for a Tight Back:
Here are some Pilates exercises that can be particularly beneficial for alleviating back tightness:
1. Pelvic Tilts
2. Cat-Cow Stretch
3. Child's Pose
4. Spine Twist
5. Swan Dive Prep
Back tightness can have various causes, ranging from muscle imbalances to poor posture and stress. However, Pilates offers an effective solution by addressing these issues through core strengthening, flexibility training, and body awareness. By incorporating Pilates into your fitness routine and focusing on targeted exercises for a tight back, you can experience relief from discomfort and improve overall spinal health. Remember to listen to your body, practice proper technique, and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying medical conditions or concerns. With consistency and dedication, Pilates can help you achieve a stronger, more supple back and enjoy a life free from tightness and discomfort.
Moving your body is so important. We as humans were not made to be sedentary. We evolved in a world that required us to move. These days we spend a lot of time sitting so we need to plan some movement in our day.
There are so many ways you can move your body. Mobility, strength and flexibility is important. In my Body Awakening Movement Program - a portal of over 65+ videos including Pilates, Yoga, Stretching, Meditations/Hypnosis, people join me for some guidance, inspiration and support. Today I am sharing a standing movement session with you that you can do.
I'd love to here how you are going. Comment below.
You can now access the Body Awakening Movement Program for only $47/year!
That is more than 50% off! All you need to do is to enter the coupon code 50SALE
Learn more about the Body Awakening Movement Program here >>> Body Awakening Movement
It's been about 2 years since the BODY AWAKENING MOVEMENT program was launched and it's time to celebrate with a SUPER SALE!!!!
You now save 50%!!! Don't miss out! And I will include a beautiful Recipe e-book and more....read below.
So what is the BODY AWAKENING MOVEMENT ALL ABOUT?
The Body Awakening Movement Program contains sessions that work on mobility, strength, flexibility and balance.
These sessions are now available wherever you are, whenever you feel like working out.
Whether you’re brand new to exercise, or are looking at incorporating some easy to follow but very effective movement sessions into your current exercise routine, this is the perfect program for you.
The program gives you different options from beginner, intermediate and advanced, so that you feel you can do this. Although if you need more challenge there are options for that as well.
There is plenty of variety so you will stay inspired and most of all you will notice the shift in your body.
The program gives you different options from beginner, intermediate and advanced, so that you feel you can do this. Although if you need more challenge there are options for that as well.
There is plenty of variety so you will stay inspired and most of all you will notice the shift in your body.
You get to be part of a supportive and lovely community called Body Awakening on Facebook and also a Chat Group in the membership area.Community and connection has always been an important part of sustaining the healthy active habits of my clients through the years.
You can also join me for a Live session via Zoom which will also be streamlined into our special group. This will be lots of fun if you want that extra encouragement and support from myself and other participants.
What is included in the program?
Comment below if you have any questions. I look forward to welcome You and your friends into this Body Awakening Movement Program.
Yours in Wellness,
It's hard to believe that I have been teaching movement classes for so long now. If someone would have told me 2020, that I would be teaching the Body Awakening classes in 20 years time from now; "I would have probably said No Way". 😂
I would have found it difficult to believe. You see, I am a person that likes challenges and change. I guess I have had that by doing things differently, but it has still been around teaching movement. 
This photo was taken many years ago now at Point Addis Beach
Well, in the last few months, I have had to adapt to our new "normal". I started taking things online, thinking it would not last too long. This instead has opened my eyes to wanting to share my movement session with many more people. I want to assist thousands and thousands more people who will benefit from what I share and I also want to make them know that I am here to support them. I am here to create a Body Awakening Movement - a movement program that is a community that works on mobility, flexibility, strength and balance in their bodies.
I know that anyone that practise some of these movement will have more quality of life and feel younger and more vibrant. We are made to move but sometimes life gets busy an we don't make time for it.
I want to make it easy and fun for people to be part of this and although you won't leave your home or the place your are at to join the session, it will still be motivating and inspiring as I will hold you accountable and inspired to incorporating some movement in your life. You can do a session when it suits you, perhaps ones a week or perhaps 5 times a week. That is your choice.
I will also be going live via Zoom where you can join me and this will be live-streamed into the Body Awakening Group that you will part of.
The last few months have ignited my passion for my movement sessions again.
I can't wait to share it with you and the rest of the world.
