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Photos: Lauren Roxburgh
These foam roller moves fromWell + Goodwill have you feeling better, fast.
Lauren Roxburgh
(Check, check, and check.)
“Rolling is essential because we’re dealing with more stress and toxins than ever,” explains Roxburgh.
Below, discover six of Roxburgh’s favorite stress-reducing roller moves.By Erin Magner forWell + Good
1.
Lauren Roxburgh
“It’s hard to sit up straight when you have all that tension in the upper back.
Gently interlace your fingers behind your head to support your head and neck.
Exhale as you roll and massage down the spine, stopping at the bottom of your rib cage.
Lauren Roxburgh
(Be careful not to roll back and forth on the lower back.)
“It gives your body the opportunity to open everything up.”
Lie on the roller with your spine supported from head to tailbone.
Lauren Roxburgh
Exhale completely as you draw your arms back down to your sides.
Rolling Swan
Those prone to road rage, this one’s for you.
“Extending the arms in swan helps release any anger stored in the sides of the body.”
Lauren Roxburgh
Exhale as you slowly resist on the way down, returning to the position you started in.
Diaphragm Release
“It’s all about breath when it comes to anger and uptightness,” says Roxburgh.
Place the roller underneath the bottom of your shoulder blades at the bra line.
Lauren Roxburgh
Gently interlace your fingers and bring your hands behind your head to support your neck.
Place your feet on the ground, with knees bent and feet hip width apart.
Inhale as you arch your thoracic spine (middle-to-upper back) over the roller.
Lauren Roxburgh
Reverse Dip Arm Extension
Who knew that tricep dips give you more than sexy arms?
“The anxiety acupressure point is right in the middle of the chest,” says Roxburgh.
“This exercise helps free up blocked energy.”
Open your chest, heart, and collarbones, lengthen your neck, and draw your shoulders back.
Then press your feet firmly on the floor with knees bent and hips up in the air.
In other words, think chest- and hip-opening, spinal alignment, and sweet, sweet emotional release.
Place the roller to the right of you and put the palms of your hands on the roller.
Reach and lift your sides and lift through the top of your head.
Inhale and roll the roller up your forearms to just below your elbows.
Exhale as you roll back up to the starting position.
Repeat five times on one side, then repeat on the other side.
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