Self Myofascial Release Definition | Yoga Lifestyle with Melissa - a podcast by Dr. Melissa West

Self Myofascial Release



In this short video I will define self myofascial release and how it works. I will explain some of the tools of self myofascial release but also how you can do self myofascial release without tools. I will explain how myofascial release is a neurophysiological response and how that works. In this short video we will put the theory into action with a short self myofascial release for your neck so that you can experience how it works in your own body.

What is self-myofascial release? Why does it matter to you if you are practicing yoga? In this video I will explain more about one of the biggest breakthroughs to change the way we look at and move our bodies in the last decade.



I have been offering myofascial release to our members in our membership community using balls and foam rollers since 2013. This May we will be offering Myofascial May in our membership community.



Over the next four weeks I will be answering your questions about self fascial release and yoga here and applying these principles in my yoga classes on my main channel as well so be sure to subscribe here and to my main Yoga with Melissa channel as well.



Why would you be interested in self-myofascial release?



Understanding the world of fascia is one of the best ways to tap into the deep inner wisdom of your body and flow with your emotions.



For me, it has been one of the most efficient ways to allow the tight and painful parts of my body to release so that I can go with the flow with ease.



Simple tools like the soft squash ball, soft foam roller and slo mo ball have helped me release anxiety and move in a more expansive way.



For a PDF of my favourite props and how to use them in a 10 week series of videos go to www.melissawest.com/props



These tools and techniques allow me to nourish and provide my connective tissue with nurturing and caring support in a short amount of time in an ongoing basis.



More than that, they allow me to let go of the holding, let go of the toxins that get held in my body's tissues so that I can open to that vital energy. Honestly, it is an alchemical process.



So what is self myofascial release?



Myo means muscle and fascia refers to the network of connective tissue that surrounds and includes your muscle.



The fascial tissues get misaligned due to trauma, injury, poor movement patterns and emotional stress.



Using your own hands, foam rollers or balls you can apply compression and massage techniques to create a neurophysiological response in your myofascia.



Your myofascia is rich in nerve endings, so when you apply gentle pressure nerve signals flow to and from your brain. These nerve signals control your proprioception (where you are in space), coordination and your ability to control movement.



So when you apply that gentle pressure to your myofascia either using your hands, a soft foam roller, or a ball a signal flows to your brain and back to your tissue signaling that there is no longer the need for tension in that area.



In a nutshell, myofascial release creates a neurological response that gives you the opportunity to create more efficient movement patterns.



One of my favourite examples of this is a simply self myofascial release of the ear to affect the neck.

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