Resources to help you with Self-care
Tools
-
Miracle balls - I like these balls due to their small size. They fit well into the hips, and are useful on all sorts of body parts.
-
Thumbby - A unique silicone device that is supposed to mimic a thumb when used to press into your tissue. I think this is useful for doing detail work on back, shoulders, and pelvis.
-
Davinci tool - I think this is the most useful for the neck up through the skull. They say it can work all over, but I have found other tools to be more useful elsewhere.
-
Coregouse ball - A larger ball (8 1/2" in diameter) that has a thin skin on it, which is good for all large body parts. I like this ball over the Yamuna ball of equal size. This one inflates and deflates very easily with no tools. Great for travel.
-
Yamuna balls - Yamuna supplies a number of different size balls from little (4" diameter) to big (12" diameter). They also sell some other products too. If you get a Yamuna ball, I recommend getting a very small hand pump for inflation and deflation. I have most of the Yamuna balls, and I end up using the Gold ball most of the time.
Books
-
Anatomy Trains - by Tom Myers. This book brings forth the idea of longer connections of fascia through the body. Tom proposes multiple chains which creates a comprehensive model, and another way of understanding the body.
-
The Endless Web - by R. Louis Schultz. This book is one of those that I go back every few years or so, and read it again. I find that as I continue in my career, I can understand the body at a more complex level. Re-reading this book helps reconnect various concepts in a most simple and elegant way. It's all about fascia, how pattern develops, and how that affects how we live in our bodies.
online - Articles, Organizations, and Websites
-
IASI - The International Association of Structural Integrators. This is the professional association dedicated to Structural Integration.
-
Anatomy Trains Structural Integration - Branching off of Tom Myers book, Tom created a whole curriculum based off of the Anatomy Trains model. This is the program in which I did my Structural Integration training. You can read more about Fascia and Structural Integration here.
-
Is Sitting a Lethal Activity - A thought provoking article on sitting, especially since many people; sit all day long for work, sit in the car, and sit at home in the evening. Originally published in the New York Times Magazine in April of 2011.
Online - Videos
-
What is craniosacral therapy? - A video online explaining some of the basics of Craniosacral Therapy. This is a good general introduction.
-
The secret life of fascia - A video online talking about fascia and its very interesting properties.
-
Original Strength - A YouTube channel that has some great simple excersizes. Check out Develop Rolling Motor Control and Healthy Shoulder Rocking. Both are great. The rolling can be done life long as it works all levels of the body gently: this is what I recommend. Also watch Neck and Shoulder Tension Relief, which I think should be added to the others mentioned above. There are plenty more videos to check out as well.
-
Strolling under the skin - A great video of live fascia taken in patients during surgery. It also talks about fascia and its properties. A must see.