Why we Foam Roll? Watch our stress roll away

The Foam Roll, 3' long and 6" diameter, cylinder shaped high density foam roll,  has changed mine and my families way of staying open and free of physical, mental, and emotional stress.  We are in a trial month of rolling every morning before school.  I wanted each of us to begin our day with an opening of our chest (hearts), mind and body.  Rolling is a way to increase circulation to the soft tissue and it provides a moment of relaxation for the entire body, a self-massage.   It is an inexpensive and practical approach to staying healthy while developing balance, stability, and core strength.  I wanted to share an experience from this morning:
My youngest daughter Adalyn (7) mentioned to me that we had to "ROLL"  this morning.  I asked her to finish getting ready for school and put her shoes on and than we would be ready to roll together.  You know where this is going: the sock problem in the shoe.  Yes, she was struggling with the sock, it doesn't feel right, it is bunched up at the end, the line is not exactly across the top of her foot.  We were heading for a severe mental breakdown in my room.  I asked her to go into her room and when she was ready to try again, to come downstairs and I would be glad to help her.

In the meantime, my other daughter, Shaeli (10) and I are on the foam rolls and starting our rolling routine.  Adalyn comes down the stairs, one shoe on, one shoe in her hand.  She is still struggling with the situation, tears in her eyes, but has gotten herself together enough to make it down the stairs safely.  We get her shoe on and I told her to get her foam roll and join us.  As most of you can imagine, she was not jumping for joy at this time.  Let's just say, she was still frustrated with the whole scene up to this point.  She got her foam roll out of the box, with a little struggle at this too, only to add to the stress of her morning.  She plopped the foam roll down, and I said to her "You will feel better once you lay on it."  She got down and layed on it with her arms out wide and instantly you could see the stress in her body and on her face start to release.  She started to roll back and forth across her spine and a smile came to her face.  She was feeling better already.

What could have repeated itself throughout the whole day, a day filled with stress, frustration, and tears, was changed in a matter of seconds on the Foam Roll.  It was an incredible experience to witness the energy shift right before my eyes.  Her day was changed, by taking a few minutes to open her arms, open her chest (heart) and to allow her mind and body to release the tension that was building up inside.   She was able to start her day free and clear of stress, tension, and tears.

I look forward to the mornings ahead as we continue this morning Roll routine!  It is a great way to start and finish your day!