Relieve tension headaches and release tight neck muscles using a foam roller.

Neck release with a foam roller is a sweet simple move anytime but I particularly enjoy incorporating it into the beginning of my Pilates mat classes.

Why? Because most of us are super tight in the neck and when we jump right into ab work in a Pilates class, I notice that both my students and I . .

1. Aren’t breathing as well or deeply as we could. We’ve walked right in on off the street with all our stress still stuck in our neck and shoulders

2. Use the neck to curl the head and shoulders up rather than the abs (and often without noticing) This quick move - 30 seconds to a few minutes - helps soften any gripping in the muscles at the back of the skull and neck and also down-regulates the nervous system, reducing our stress response, allowing for a more relaxed, enjoyable workout and better breathing.

PROPS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO

Foam Roller: OPTP Soft Density 36" Roller