On Self Care: Your Body

I am not a runner (unless someone is chasing me) but I remember a conversation with one in which he said that runner's take extra special care of their feet (he went on to discuss everything from caring for blisters to picking out the right running shoe). Makes sense, yes? Yet, so often, yoga folks fail to take care of their body, thinking that yoga alone keeps muscles loose and limber. Not always.

In fact, yoga blogger Matthew Remski recently started the WAWADIA (What are we actually doing in asana?) project to delve into the topic of asana-related injury. Interesting reading, indeed. Click here for update #1 and here for update #2 on the project. I found update #2 particularly interesting. Personally, I've found myself all over the spectrum of pushing too far, injury, rehabilitation and healing, shifting the way I practice. Been there, done that, still learning. 

One thing that's changed for me in the past 5 or so years is my incorporating various tools to my body care repertoire. In the vein of yoga therapist heal thyself, I've used -- in addition to therapeutic yoga -- tools like trigger point implements, rollers, and the like to work out muscle stiffness and soreness, to prevent injury, and/or rehab back from one. Just recently, I've found a new product that blows away my current arsenal of goodies: The enso Roller from EvoFit. 

At first, I wasn't all that excited about the enso Roller, as I was happy with my collection of body health tools. Eventually, my curiosity won out, and I gave the enso a try. I'm so glad that I did, because it's now my main go to.

Who: EvoFit was launched in 2012 when founder Tom Carlson acted on his need for a practical solution to relieve tight muscles due to over-use and neglect.

What: The enso Roller is a lightweight (just 2 lbs, so it's travel-friendly) customizable roller comprised of an aluminum tube and 8 discs (4 small 4.5" diameter discs and 4 large 5" diameter discs) that can be adjusted into a variety of configurations to suit one's desired intensity level and area of concentration.

Why: "The concept of enso comes from an understanding that our bodies are dynamic, supple and always changing. To have a truly effective self- massage tool, we at EvoFit believe the tools needs to by dynamic. It needs to have the ability to penetrate soft tissue in hard to reach areas and allow you to perform trigger point releases..." This little gem is taken directly from the enso marketing material and I have to say that I agree. Perhaps it's the yoga therapist in me but I definitely agree with the idea that one's body is unique and needs something that be customized to it in order to offer healing. 

I must admit that I fell in love with my enso right out of the box. I loved the lightweight feel of it and the simplicity of use. I immediately started adjusting the discs (which slide around easily on the grooved aluminum tube and solidly click in the grooves when secured in place), testing out intensity levels on various areas of my body.

An enclosed Using & Configuring guide clearly shows suggestions for differently body focuses and intensity levels. I found the visuals easy to copy and had no trouble quickly setting up various configurations and testing them out. After a lot of experimenting, I found that I preferred the "super aggressive" configurations, which allow for intense work. No suprise there, I suppose, as I tend to prefer deep tissue work.

This online guide (complete with videos) offers an overview on the many uses of the enso Roller. I've used just about all of the suggestions, and all I can say is "aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." 

During my initial enso testing period (I always try things out for a few weeks before deciding whether or not they make the cut and are keepers), I started a new workout, which resulted in some muscle tightness and soreness. Fifteen minutes with my enso Roller had me feeling loose, pain-free, and ready for more.

In the past, one of the problem spots I had difficulty working were my calves. Regardless of the tools I've preferred and used in the past, I could never seem to target the muscles quite right. The enso Roller did the trick, though and I finally got relief from calf tightness.

I'm so impressed that using my enso Roller has become part of my daily routine. Sometimes I'll even use it twice per day -- once in the morning and again for a few minutes before bed. 

If you're plagued by muscle soreness/tightness, have chronic yoga injuries, and/or want to increase your performance, enhance recovery, or prevent injury, I highly recommend EvoFit's enso Roller. Can't. Say, Enough. Good. Things. I firmly believe in taking care of your body and treating it well. For me that means yoga asana customized to my body in tandem with a customizable muscle roller, the enso.

I apologize if I'm sounding like an infomercial here. I tend to get excited about products that I love and want to share them with my readers. I take body care seriously, so it's no surprise I'm so enthusiastic about this tool.

Regardless of whether you try the enso or not, be gentle with yourself on the mat and take care of your body when you're off of it.

Namaste!

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