In the years since my involvement in a harrowing car accident, the state of my physical disposition has affected my life in ways that have served to change me. Though I managed to survive with no visible injuries, the underlying effects of that event, have impacted my life from that day onward.
As a result of the car crash, I’ve been left with a rather painful condition that has since affected the feeling and mobility of my neck and upper back. Based on the nature of my situation, I’m often privy to experiencing severe headaches and paralyzing muscle stiffness by what I’ve described as a low-voltage current running through the nerves and musculature of my backside. Coupled by years spent at a desk job while gazing at a computer screen, the sensation never subsided. On some days, it was absolutely debilitating… until recently.
Though I’m well-versed in using self-myofascial release (SMR) to ease muscle pain and tension, I’ve only ever used it on larger muscle groups (i.e. quadriceps and hamstrings). This is because a foam roller has become the most commonly used instrument for SMR. While it may serve as an effective tool in some cases, a foam roller is void of the precision needed to target certain areas of the body, due to its size. Given the nature of my circumstances, a foam roller did little to help my situation. With that said, I decided to heed my bosses advice of using Yoga Tune Up Balls instead.
What I immediately noticed about this method of implementing SMR was its calming, mindful, and targeted approach towards self-care, which is vastly superior to foam rolling. At a time when so many of us opt out of tending to the body in which we live, Yoga Tune Up focuses on exactly that. It strengthens the mind and body connection because it helps to uncover areas within ourselves that are prone to harboring mental, physical, and emotional stresses. It’s really quite remarkable.
Thus taking a moment each day to work on the area that was most concerning, I sought to rehabilitate, revive, and recharge. And through this conscious approach I was able to reclaim what was lacking—a sense of physical and functional wellbeing. For the first time, the fog had lifted as the discomfort which became part of my day-to-day was actually gone. So while the memory of that accident is likely to stay, its imprint has faded in a way that I no longer recognize it.
And in light of sharing my experience, I’m excited to know that our studio will be integrating the use of Yoga Tune Up Balls in our upcoming Express + Recharge formats. This is because I believe our clients will appreciate the value of this empowering and thoughtful process towards wellness, just as I have.
