When it comes to sore muscles, it's time to get rolling! Beyond your basic foam roller, there are tons of tools to roll away your aches and pains — with or without the crazy expense of a professional. Whether you're looking to flush your muscles after a weight session or improve your posture, many of these rollers have multiple uses. Take a peek and see which one works best for you!
Massages may be an essential part of an exercise routine, but they don't come cheap. Here are some ways to get the benefits of massage at home, without the exorbitant spa bill.
Upon arrival, the Moji 360 Massager Kit ($70) looked like something out of 50 Shades of Grey, but from my first trial, I was hooked. The tiny stainless sphere balls on each of the massagers offer a full range of motion, but the intensity is up to you. If you're hanging on the couch, you can have a little bit more of a relaxed massage; if you're really trying to work through a tough spot, you can add as much intensity as you see fit.
Both massagers were great at relieving tension from hard-to-reach muscle groups in order to give our bodies some extra love and attention. But they offer more help than just soothing sore muscles; the massagers claim to assist in breaking up troublesome scar tissue and to increase circulation.
Want to hear why we loved them? Keep reading to find out.
A tense, stiff neck can interfere with your daily life, and even worse, your fitness training! Watch this video to learn the pin and stretch massage method to lengthen overworked muscles in the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Try this quick and easy technique after a hard workout, a long day at the office, or to simply unwind. You can even use the massage method on yourself! Press play and learn how to give a great neck rub.
Having a standing spa appointment may sound indulgent, but in reality it can be just as important as any other healthy habit in your wellness routine.
Why should you invest your time in a massage? Not only are massages good for your muscles, especially after a long week of arduous workouts, but getting a massage also helps the rest of your body and your mind. Getting a massage helps you relax, relieve tension, and de-stress, and it also helps boost your immune system by increasing white blood cell counts.
When you don't have the time, energy, or money for an hours-long trip to the spa, you can take a break for your own. Learn some techniques that will help you relax (check out our video on simple massage techniques here) or relieve workout-sore muscles with a few minutes with a massage stick or foam roller. If all else fails, relax with some music, since research has shown that taking a break and listening to your favorite music has been shown to give your the same stress-relieving benefits as a massage.
It's human nature to want to be close to the people we care about, but for the people we really love — well, it's hard to keep our hands off them! Valentine's Day is almost here, so keep reading to find out how all those extra hugs and kisses can benefit your health.
This Valentine's Day, why not give your sweetie a head and neck massage? It's easy to do, doesn't cost a thing, and is way more bliss-inducing than a box of Russell Stover candies. Watch as stylist Laura Kingston of Barnets in San Francisco shows you how to give a salon-style massage. (Just be sure to make sure you get a reciprocal rubdown, too!)
We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.
If your schedule has been anything like ours, you're on accelerated deadlines at work so you can take that much-needed vacation. Before you go into panic mode and binge eat on sugar cookies or french fries, take a short moment to physically help yourself relax. Corporate employee-turned-masseur Leonardo Ranieri devotes his career to providing body rubs in the office place with his company Massage At Work. (Note: We've tried a massage with him, and it's absolutely mind-numbing.) But if you can't make it to the spa, try targeting the three pressure points below.
The first time you walked into a yoga studio you probably saw a wall of blocks like the ones above, and a few of these foam cylindrical tubes lying around too. I'll admit it, at first I didn't quite know what purpose either of these items served. But after taking a few classes that incorporated both blocks and rollers, I was instantly hooked! What's great about both yoga blocks ($15) and foam rollers ($20) is the fact that they are not only for Pilates and yoga classes (although they are superb with both), but they can help you in your everyday workout routines as well. Keep reading to find out why.
There's nothing worse than paying an arm and a leg for a massage and you leave feeling the exact same way as when you arrived — tight, stiff, and stressed. That's why I'm a big fan of Thai massages because I feel amazing after every session and the positive effects last for days, if not weeks. For those who are new to Thai massage, Thai massage is basically an assisted relaxing yoga session where a masseuse manipulates your body and applies gentle pressure to your muscles. Thai massages usually take place on a big cozy floor mat and you are required to wear loose pants and a t-shirt so your body can easily move around (some places provide the clothing, so just check before you go). Each session usually lasts around one to two hours and just like yoga, your breathing is very important since it will aid you through each pose.
Keep reading to learn more about Thai massages and why they are so good for you.
