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Feet & Ankles
I own 2 sets of these--one for studio and home. I've had the studio pair for over 10 years and they're still like new. Great for travel.
Similar to Yamuna. Can't attest to the durability.
Great for forearms too!
Magic! Heated foot massager! 15 minute settings--I do 2 in a row!
Be sure to order your size! A bit pricey, but totally worth the investment.
Hands & Forearms
I use this 2-3 times per week. It actually releases my right QL (back muscle). I would not recomment for anyone with joint pain or arthritis.
Another favorite for forearm tension. Particularly with active aerial silks workouts. Great if you use your hands a lot.
Same product, just more attachments. Full disclosure that I only own the more basic version.
Voodoo floss to wring out tension of the forearms.
Weak hand and grip muscles totally play a part in lower back as well as neck & shoulder pain. Think of this as cross training for all the typing you do.
Head & Neck
Great for headaches and general head/eye tension. If you still own a CD player, the music is a little campy, but soothing. Great to combine with a meditation practice.
Yes, this thing is overpriced. Yet, if you have chronic tension at the base of your skull...this thing scratches that itch you always want relief from.
Lower Back
Be sure to order your size! Recommending this one over others. I know it's a bit more expensive. Some of these are too stiff & thick, and then when you move around they ride up. I've heard from a client who had quick and lasting success from this one, in pariticular.
Great little tool you can use for core strengthening--particularly if you have lower back pain. Also great to lay with it under the SI joint for a gentle stretch and release. Or, sit on it under your sits bones to release the pelvic floor.
Stretching
Inexpensive & versatile tool for improving flexibility.
Strengthening
I have not personally tried this kit, but it has a lot of accessories that mirror what I use with clients (and it much, much less than what I've spent to acquire all those other things).
A strong core=a strong back. Really push my female clients as well to work up to a pull up--just purchase an assist band (listed below). Also great if you have back pain for the traction. Also amazing if you type all day to get the stretch through your arms and shoulders. For a minimal amount of money, brings a lot to the table.
You can also use these for resistance training beyond just tying them to a pull up bar. Scroll down and look for coupon codes, they often have deals if you buy more than one at a time.
You can buy a set of these, but I find that most people only need the light to extra light. Great for hip and pelvic floor work as well as combining with weights in shoulder work--it will force you to access the smaller muscles in your shoulders and upper back.
Yes, you have to pay for shipping here, which is annoying. I've tried for years to find a cheaper replacement, but this is really a great prop for pelvic floor work if your pelvic floor is loose. Place it right up at the base of your torso during exercises to trigger those muscles to lift. Also like putting it between ankles for calf raises to get smaller muscles working there and to encourage ankle stability.
Having one of these is a must for core and inner thigh (read: pelvic floor) strengthening. Also great to use your stretching your back and releasing your diaphragm.
Another 'must have' for home strength work. Great to combine with the above ball for core work as well as stretching.
Self-Massage/Tissue Release
If you can afford it, purchase this one over the cheaper one below. It has 2 attachments that make it more versatile. I love the soft, rotund disc for going over bones and sensitive areas. The pointy attachment is great for getting at muscle attachment sites. Plus, it has setting that are vibrational then percussive, meaning you have more control over what works best for a particular area.
Great, inexpensive home massager. Have had many, many clients purchase this over the years. One called it a 'game changer'.
Another one that is so, so worth the investment. Cup scar tissue--it will change your life. If you hate foam rolling your IT band, cup it! Use with massage oil, coconut or jojoba to drag the cup over skin for a release.
Cheaper than anywhere else. You could purchase a less-dense version from this link as well that will be less intense. Make sure you purchaes the 36" version as you can do more with it.
Bascially shrink wrap your calves or forearms (or anywhere, really) and squeeze over the top. I love combining this with the DCT Proflex calf stretcher listed above. Wrap the calf & then stretch with the boot for a turbo calf release.
I'm personally not that masochistic to use a lacrosse ball often for soft tissue release. I prefer more of the things above. That said, I do like it for releasing the TFL using both in a sock.
I like these for doing a psoas or piriformis release.
Books
Most approachable book I've ever read on trauma and how it affects the brain and body.
Love, love, love this book. The author correlates the chakras to western psychology. It's an academic perspective on energy.
I've purchased and read many books on the pelvic floor. This one is the best & the one I consistently find myself referring back to.
Other
Earthing mats are really powerful for inflammation-based issues, and this coming from someone who thought they were equivalent to snake oil. They're not for everyone. I love mine and feel like overall it has helped with sleep quality and immune function. That said, some folks I use one with in studio don't feel anything.