The Stability Barrel Lite is an ideal fitness tool to lengthen the spine, open the chest and shoulders and stretch your fascia. Om. As the Master instructor says in this Pilates Barrel matwork class – “Imagine you are wearing a stocking and you are trying to stretch out of it” Moira Merrithew. Shop the Stability Barrel Lite.
I recently added the mini stability barrel lite to my matwork routine and clients immediately felt a difference. This foam barrel has a gentle padded arc that can be placed under your feet, or back, hips and shoulders. Turn the barrel over and add planks and squats on a gentle rocking unstable surface. Deeply challenges the core. Watch it in action on Merrithew Connect.
This well designed Pilates barrel class delivers a deep fascial release with the use of classical barrel and matwork Pilates exercises. With cuing to challenge form, deepen joint mobility and connection into your feet, all improves core strength, balance and control. It with shake the system up to release held fascia. It’s as if the cobwebs get dusted out of the corners of your joints. Ahhh.
“Fascia or myofascia is the continuous sleeve of connective tissue that wraps around and connects almost everything in our body – muscles, organs, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves. If there is a kink somewhere in the it can affect the rest of the body.”
The grandmother of fascial understanding and treatment is Dr. Ida Rolf. In 1920 she received a Ph.D. in biochemistry and developed “Rolfing® Structural Integration a form of bodywork that reorganizes the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body.” Rolfing works on the connective tissue to:
“release, realign and balance the whole body, thus potentially resolving discomfort, reducing compensations and alleviating pain. Rolfing aims to restore flexibility, revitalize your energy and leave you feeling more comfortable in your body.”
From the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute. Read more about Fascia . . .
Releasing myofascial tensions can restore proper muscle length and activation, necessary before we can develop greater strength and power. The connection with breath increases focus and awareness and can deepen the stretch or range of movement. The breath also oxygenates the body, producing a cleansing effect and hydrates the fascia. Drink plenty of water to assist with further hydration of the fascia and rest of the body.
To make an affect on our fascia it is necessary to challenge the body with large, sweeping, lengthening and rotating motions that make you feel like you are stretching that stocking envelope.
I highly recommend you experience this – spine toughening, ab sculpting, fascia releasing – Stability Barrel Flow Balance and Control class. You’ll stand with arches on the arc‘s apex and perform the classic roll down and extension, squats and pulses then all repeated with heels downhill and toes downhill. It’s like standing reformer footwork with the classic arches, toes and heels on.
The arc provides a gentle curved surface that challenges our balance with inclined or declined surfaces. The arc supports the lumbar spine in neutral and opens the upper back, making you feel lengthened. It’s ideal to deepen our roll downs, bridges, curl ups and side lying exercises. You will discover muscles you haven’t felt in years or ever!
You can rent or purchase this class on Merrithew Connect to watch on demand. Click here for the link.
Or Join us for a live zoom class from Honolulu every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:30 am for a Pilates Mat class with Props . Click here to schedule live virtual classes. We can also send you the class recording. Do the class when it suits you. Props used include Flex Band, Ankle Strength Tubing, Arc Barrel and Mini-Stability Ball, all available to order online and have delivered to your door from the Pilates Equipment Shop. Shop for these Props at check out use code “AllProps20%” for 20% off listed price.
Come on let’s get your fascia stretched out!