MY FAVORITE TOOL (THIS MONTH)
Each prop I use and introduce to clients and students is unique and valuable.
This month I discovered another one: Gaiam Nubby Ball (actually, it’s proper title is ‘Gaiam Restore Ultimate Foot Massage Roller’).
Now, you might like to know why; well here goes:
It is small enough (but not too small) to easily maneuver around the sole of the foot.
Because of the ‘nubs’, it won’t roll away from my Yoga Therapy clients whose maneuverability may not allow chasing after a tennis or other smooth surface ball.
Every one who has used it in their sessions with me ‘LOVES’ the ball.
They love the ball because it creates a significant difference in the way their feet feel. We will maneuver the ball over the ball of the foot, then move to the arch, then to the heel. After that, we compare the foot with the un-rolled one. The difference is amazing — like getting a foot massage in a manageable way.
And, since compliance is the ‘name of the game’ in Yoga Therapy (as in, will clients do the work at home); to a person, the ‘nubby ball’ is a tool they happily tell me they are using every day.
It is available on Amazon. Costs a whole $4.50, yet gives back so much more (you might say it’s ‘priceless’ - tho that may be taking it a bit far).
In the public classes I teach, I often have students do a forward fold after a bit of warm-up. We then take a seat and massage our right (or left) foot. I then ask students to come to standing again and take a forward fold, comparing the massaged foot to the un-massaged one. Often, the massaged-foot leg feels much more cooperative in the forward fold. We then sit back down and massage the other foot. Then class proceeds.
Massaging the feet, whether with hands or a ‘nubby ball’ is a good way to start the process of loosening sticky fascia. Fascia is connective tissue that runs in and through all our muscles, tendons and ligaments. There is also a layer of fascia under our skin which helps to maintain optimal body temperature. As we age, fascia (connective tissue) becomes sticky as we slow down on moving (or move in only certain ways - think joggers or weight lifters). Hydration and movement can counter that stickiness and allow muscles to slide against one another, optimizing movement.
We have to start somewhere - so I’ve decided to begin with the feet. After all, we use them all day, every day, and many of us rarely think of them unless they are hurting.
Maybe August ought to be designated ‘Be Kind to Our Feet’ month.
Thoughts?
