Prop Time: Roll it out!

Ready – here we go; here’s your clue!

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’

Rawhide!

This song lyric popped into my head as I was starting to write this. Some may say that I’m starting with everyone’s favorite prop. Can you guess? A self-care massage!

A Foam Roller can be used for strength and stretch! Foam rolling is a method of self-myofascial release. A self-care massage tool for tight muscles; good for releasing knots, reducing soreness, improving flexibility and range of motion. Aids in stability and balance exercises too. Especially perfect during lockdown and quarantine for some TLC while you’re at home. You’ll love it so much that dare I say that you’ll continue to use it in our “next normal” way of living, and you’ll never let it gather dust in the corner again.

Now, here’s the thing about props. They can be tools to teach, or crutches to be dependent on. Of course, we only want these as tools. So, try a couple of reps with props, and then a couple more reps without, and see if you can do the exercises with the right connections that you learned from the prop.

These props give your body and mind feedback to see where you are connected or disconnected. I mean, let’s be real – our body parts may not fully know how to engage and stay engaged during an exercise. So, let’s take some help until our body learns how to do this without props. On the flip side of this, if you tell me you’ve got this, then these props can also add a challenge (read: get you stronger!) to your Pilates mat practice.

A final word on props in general. The props allow you to explore, discover, investigate what is missing in your practice, what you need more of or less of in your practice, and to help you find that connection when you don’t have a prop. No good home substitute that I can think of at the moment. Ready to buy one?

Don’t wait for IRL workouts. Come out of lockdown/quarantine stronger than ever! Besides, online is so much fun! And it’s so nice we still get to see each other. Remember what you can from our classes together, and you can practice on your own during the rest of the week.

Join me in a Wed mat + prop class. Check the schedule for the next one with a foam roller. Come with yours!