Sequences

Top 5 MFR

HOW MFR CAN HELP YOU
MFR, or myofascial release, is a therapeutic self massage technique using mainly two small rubber balls. What is great about MFR is that it is very user friendly and easy to slot it into your routine. It just takes a few minutes and all you need is your two balls and space on the floor or a wall to roll on. You don’t necessarily need to change into workout gear or even roll your yoga mat out. It eases your aches and pains, improves your posture, increases your range of movement, enhances your sporting or hobbies performance, and builds emotional resilience. Huge return for a small bit of time invested in this self care technique. My preferred routine is to slot it in pre yoga, post a workout or at the end of the day to help me switch off and relax. For more information on the science of MFR check out my earlier article. You’ll notice it is the same sequence as this newer article (the top 5 are still the top 5!) but in this article I expand on when to use MFR.

When you start to use MFR you will feel immediate and cumulative benefits. You will feel a warmth to the area you have rolled and a heightened sense of awareness in and around the area. It might feel freer, more fluid and less stiff and chalkie. It also stimulates little receptors under our skin called ruffinis which communicate with the rest and restore branch of our nervous system and help you feel lovely and relaxed. Longer term benefits can range from a relief from aches, pains and stiffness to stress reduction and better sleep. It can be adapted depending on what your desired outcome is.

The golden rule with MFR is to stay within the parameter of mild discomfort, you are encouraging your muscles to relax around the ball, not contract and protect themselves. If you are clenching your jaw, not breathing or gripping muscles it is too intense and counterproductive on both the nervous system and the health of the tissues. You can reduce the intensity by leaning a bit lighter, adding a second ball to the area or placing a blanket over the balls. 

If you’re interested in joining my next in person or online MFR workshop please send me an enquiry:

WHEN TO USE MFR
For pain management – shorter practice + frequently: when we roll on the balls the gentle pressure releases hormones (oxytocin & serotonin) which help reduce pain sensitivity. It also stimulates receptors under the skin called nociceptors whose job is to detect pain. When they are stimulated in this controlled environment it desensitises them and increases our pain tolerance. MFR can also treat the potential source of the pain by releasing trigger points which are muscle knots and help repair injured tissues which might. 

Relaxation – long or short practice + lighter: MFR stimulates nerve receptors found under the skin called ruffini receptors whose job is to initiate the rest and restore response. These receptors communicate with the nervous system and send happy relaxation signals to the whole body which is why MFR can feel very relaxing. It is very adaptable and can be used to down regulate the nervous system during the day if you are feeling stressed or tired, or in the evening to help you relax and prepare for a good night's sleep.

Pre yoga – shorter practice + lighter: the pressure of rolling affects the viscosity and hydration of the fascia. This improves glide and slide of our muscles, tissues and organs and increases our mobility. Receptors under the skin called mechanoreceptors respond to pressure, when rolled they release the muscles, increasing mobility. This increase in mobility is acute and needs to be captured through stretching which is why MFR prior to yoga is the perfect way to increase your mobility.

Post yoga – longer practice + deeper: similar to the principle of Savasana, MFR after yoga helps you relax after your practice and allows your body to assimilate all the benefits of your practice. Think of it as an energy bank. When we spend energy on our practice we need to invest back with practices like MFR and taking time to reinvest in our energy bank with Savasana.

Pre sports – shorter practice + lighter: when it comes to pre sports we are looking to increase circulation and warm the muscles and increase mobility without decreasing the strength of the muscle. Previously we used stretch before sports but now the science says that this loosens the muscles too much and you lose the spring effect of the muscles. MFR prepares the muscles without losing any of their power. It also releases trigger points and knots and improves coordination and communication within the muscles to meet the demand.

Post sports – longer practice + deeper: when we exercise we create micro tears in the muscles. These micro tears are repaired by the fascia within the muscles. MFR stimulates and increases the rate of the repair process. It also increases circulation and helps with post exercise fatigue and alleviates delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

THE BENEFITS OF MFR
MFR is used for both therapeutic and preventative measures for:

  • Increased muscle & fascia hydration.

  • Increased glide & slide.

  • Healthy connective tissue health.

  • Increased mobility.

  • Increased circulation.

  • Better nervous system communication.

  • Rest and relaxation.

  • Pain management.

  • Better tissue repair.

  • Reduced physical & mental tension.

  • Better body awareness.

  • Pre exercise to help prepare the muscles.

  • Post exercise to help recover the muscles.

EXPLORING TOP 5 MFR IN YOUR PRACTICE
Less is more when using MFR. If you are gritting your teeth and ignoring intense discomfort you will hinder the process and it will become counterproductive. You are looking for mild discomfort with the ability to consciously relax the muscles you are working on. Use your exhale to help relax the muscles under the ball(s). If you hit a tender spot that triggers your muscles to tighten, work indirectly around the area before directly. Avoid bony areas where there is very little muscle to work on and can be very uncomfortable. You will notice that different areas will be more tender than others. Adjust your applied pressure to create an even sensation throughout your practice. In areas where you roll individual sides it is good to lie down between sides to notice the difference. In areas where you do both sides at the same time, take a moment to lie down and sense the effects locally and around the whole body. You might notice the massaged area is more relaxed, less tight; more fluid, less chalkie; more free, less stiff; more neurological feedback, less disconnected.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

  • 30/60 seconds per area.

  • 5 min a day is better than 20 min a week.

  • Less is more, look for mild discomfort.

  • Work indirectly before directly on trigger points.

  • Should never be painful or sharp.

  • Use two balls instead of one or place a blanket over the balls to reduce the intensity.

  • Avoid bones, joints, nerves.

  • Avoid inflammation, bruises, broken skin, varicose veins.

ALIGNMENT CUES
Below are my Top 5 MFR areas. Use the illustrated sequence for the ball position and the body position guide: 

No.1 - Feet
Compression - from standing or seated, place 1 x ball at position No.1, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths and move on to No.2. Continue to No.5. 
Roll & cross fibre - with the toes on the ground place 1 x ball at No.5, roll the ball across your heel x 5. Place 1 x ball at No.6, roll the ball across the knuckles of your toes x 5. Place 1 x ball at No.6, roll in one direction from toes to heel x 5. 
Scribble - roll and scribble across the sole of the foot. Repeat all steps on the other foot.

No.2 - Shoulders (trapezius & supraspinatus)
Compression - from supine with knees bent, place 2 x balls in the centre of each upper shoulder, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths. 
Sheer - slowly circle arms overhead and back to the ground x 5. 

No.3 - Lower back (quadratus lumborum & erectors)
Compression - from supine with knees bent, place 2 x balls above the back of the hips either side of the spine, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths.
Sheer - slowly lift and lower one knee at a time towards your chest x 5.
Roll & cross fibre - roll up and down the lower spine below the ribs.

No.4 - Glutes (gluteus maximus & piriformis)
Compression - from supine with knees bent, place 2 x balls in the centre of each buttock muscle, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths.
Sheer - slowly lift and lower one knee at a time towards your chest x 5. Place your right foot on your left knee and lower and lift your right knee.
Roll & cross fibre - roll around the whole buttocks area.

No.5 - Hips (gluteus medius)
Compression - from side lying up on your forearm, stack 2 x balls behind your frontal hip bone on your outer hip, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths.
Sheer - slowly lift and lower your leg x 5.
Roll & cross fibre - roll up and down on your outer hip.

To save the images for personal use click and hold down the image until the ‘save image’ option appears; on Mac hold down ‘control’ and click the image to get the option box; on PC right click on the image to get the option box. Scroll down in the ‘option box’ and click ‘save image’.

Ruth Delahunty Yogaru

Morning routines

SETTING A PRECEDENT
Starting your morning with a solid foundation to build on will set you up for a productive and enjoyable day ahead. The predictability of kicking into a familiar morning routine is very soothing for the nervous system and eases you into the day's activities. Putting aside time for yourself in the morning gives you a sense of personal space and fulfilment beyond work and deadlines and helps you value your down time. For most of us the morning is a set amount of time. When you set yourself a certain number of routines to get done in that time you need to be quite particular about how long each task takes. Establishing a routine makes you more disciplined and organised and helps with time management too. These important skills will help you feel less stressed and more in control of your day.

Some elements to your morning routine are personal preferences – like eating brekkie or fasting till later, having a tea or coffee ritual, meditation or journaling. Other elements are universally recognised recommendations – like starting the day with some sort of movement, hydrating first thing, going to bed and getting up at the same time everyday, getting natural light within the first hour of waking. Some of the world's most successful people have a no compromise morning routine including rituals like exercise, walking the dog, coffee rituals and meditation.

WHERE DO YOU START?
Be realistic about how much you can fit into your morning before your day starts or your routine will quickly become a source of stress. Stick with a simple routine for a few weeks, and if you have time, you can add another element to your routine. You can start with really simple tasks like ritually making your bed in the morning as soon as you get up or planning your day ahead to start the day off smoother and calmer. A morning routine starts the night before by getting to bed at a time that will allow you to get between 7 to 8 hours sleep. Don’t be tempted to scroll on your phone in the hours before bed, it reduces your deep sleep which is the period of sleep where your brain replenishes and your immune system strengthens. Try not to have weekend lie-ins, it has been scientifically proven that they are a fallacy. You can’t catch up on missed sleep at the weekend, it actually throws off your circadian rhythm and makes you even more tired on a Monday. Planning some self care into your morning ensures that you get your daily fix of ‘me time’ which will stand to you for the day ahead. Pick a few of the following morning routine suggestions, start modest and add as you get into the rhythm of you new rituals:

  • Wake up and get up at the same time, no snooze buttons!

  • Make your bed.

  • Drink a glass of room temperature water.

  • Meditation.

  • Journaling.

  • Breathwork.

  • Exercise, yoga!

  • Sunlight.

  • Cold shower if you are brave enough!

  • Plan your day ahead.

  • Shower and get dressed, try not to get into the habit of staying in PJs.

MORNING EXERCISE ROUTINES
When you wake up in the morning your body has just completed a min hibernation. When we are asleep the brain stores new information and washes out toxins, while the body restores energy, repairs muscles and fights infections. But with extended hours of minimal movement the body can feel a bit slow and stiff in the morning. Getting moving first thing in the morning will help blow away the cobwebs and wake up all the muscles so they can support sitting, standing and moving posture. Exercise releases the happy hormone endorphins, increases respiration which brings in more oxygen, and boosts your circulation to distribute the oxygen around the body to make you feel more buzzy and energised.

The addition of a simple yoga practice is the best way to start your day. It is one of the easiest forms of exercise to fit into your morning routine, just roll your mat out, and covers all the bases when it comes to preparing the body and mind for the day ahead. Yoga stretches and strengthens all the muscles of the body, moves the spine in all directions and mobilises the hips – which is particularly useful if you know you will be sitting for most of your day. Yoga also balances the nervous system, eases stress, tension & anxiety, aids digestion, increases circulation, boosts the immune system, and helps with focus and concentration. You can read more about the benefits of yoga in my recent article.

My morning routine sets me up for the day ahead. I get up at the same time every day of the week. I have a shot of lemon and ginger elixir to wake me up and wipe down the already cleaned kitchen surfaces as a way to clear and prepare my mind for the day ahead. I put the porridge on, make school lunches and head out for a morning walk. I listen to podcasts or audible books on my walk which distracts me from procrastinating over the day ahead. When I get back I kick straight into my yoga rituals before I get distracted by work and emails. For my morning yoga ritual I have a formula that includes bite sized amounts of all my favourite wellness tools – MFR (myofascial release), pranayama breathwork and yoga mini flows. How long or how strong I practise for depends on how much time I have and how I am feeling that day. After my practice I’ll shower, have my brekkie and make my ‘to do’ list for the day ahead.

EXPLORING MORNING ROUTINES IN YOUR PRACTICE
Before you start, step on your mat and take a few moments to work out how your practice can support you today. Ask yourself how did you sleep, what you need physically, what do you need mentally, what your energy levels are, where do you feel stiff, where do you feel weak? Adjust your practice according to your answers. If you had a great night sleep go for it and maybe repeat the standing flow if you have the time. If you are feeling tired, focus on your breath to get your oxygen levels up to wake you up. If you have an injury, mind those areas and move slowly, adjust or leave out any poses that don’t currently suit you.

This sequence is some of my current favourite techniques and mini flows that give me a full body and mind floss. The first row starts with two MFR techniques followed by some mobility and breathwork flows. Row two and three and your two standing flows. If time is an issue you can just do one of them, if you have more time you can repeat each of them twice. Remember each standing flow is two rounds – one with the right leg forward and one with the left leg forward. If you don't have a brick you can do them without. If you do have a brick, use it as an opportunity to use the brick to refresh familiar poses, press into the brick when it's on the ground to lengthen up form and squeeze the brick between your hand or thighs in the poses where you are holding the brick. At the end of the fourth row is your third MFR technique and a short pranayama session which are detailed below.

ALIGNMENT CUES
Below are the MFR techniques used in this sequence. For more information on MFR go to my recent article

No.1 - Feet
Compression - from standing or seated, place 1 x ball at position No.1, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths and move on to No.2. Continue to No.5. 
Roll & cross fibre - with the toes on the ground place 1 x ball at No.5, roll the ball across your heel x 5. Place 1 x ball at No.6, roll the ball across the knuckles of your toes x 5. Place 1 x ball at No.6, roll in one direction from toes to heel x 5. 
Scribble - roll and scribble across the sole of the foot. Repeat all steps on the other foot.

No.2 - Hips (gluteus medius)
Compression - from side lying up on your forearm, stack 2 x balls behind your frontal hip bone on your outer hip, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths.
Sheer - slowly lift and lower your leg x 5.
Roll & cross fibre - roll up and down on your outer hip.

No.3 - Lower back (quadratus lumborum & erectors)
Compression - from supine with knees bent, place 2 x balls above the back of the hips either side of the spine, gently press down with an inhale and release on the exhale x 5 breaths.
Sheer - slowly lift and lower one knee at a time towards your chest x 5.
Roll & cross fibre - roll up and down the lower spine below the ribs.

Pranayama
Sit in a comfortable position – cross legged, sitting up on a brick, straddling a bolder. Inhale for the count of 6, exhale for the count of 6, and pause exhaled for the count of 2. Continue through the three progressions in the sequence. When you get to the third progression repeat this count for 3 to 4 rounds. You can then take an optional Savasana if you have time. 

To save the images for personal use click and hold down the image until the ‘save image’ option appears; on Mac hold down ‘control’ and click the image to get the option box; on PC right click on the image to get the option box. Scroll down in the ‘option box’ and click ‘save image’.

Ruth Delahunty Yogaru

The circulatory system

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
The circulatory system, or cardiovascular system, is the body's main transport system. It consists of the heart, blood vessels and the blood. The heart pumps the blood around the whole body through the vessels. It is a closed circulatory system, which means blood moves in a continuous loop with no start or finishing point. The blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, carbon dioxide and waste products to and from all the cells of the body. This transaction takes place in the capillaries. There are two main divisions of the circulatory system – the pulmonary, which delivers deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and oxygenated blood back and the heart; and the systemic, which delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to the whole body and deoxygenated blood back to the heart. If you were to follow a full loop, starting at the lungs it would be – lungs, heart, body, heart, lungs. Arteries are responsible for carrying the oxygenated blood around the body, while veins are responsible for returning the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The circulatory system also plays an important role with the immune response by helping fight infection and regulating body temperature. When there is good housekeeping the body is well serviced and works more efficiently.

When we inhale we decrease pressure in the thoracic region, not only does this drive air into the lungs but this increase of pressure also draws blood back to the heart, this is called venous return. So, although we often talk about the calming benefits of the exhale, the inhale also has its benefits when it comes to increasing blood flow and all the benefits that come with a circulatory system that performs well. We can use this principle to help the circulatory system by increasing our inhale in a pranayama practice or by focusing on the breath as part of our yoga practice.

HOW YOGA CAN HELP 
Similar to the lymphatic system, the circulatory system can be assisted by our yoga practice. We can produce an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood circulation by creating internal pressure, muscle contractions and an increased demand for oxygen. The flowing movement in yoga creates a demand for oxygen in the cells which increases heart rate. Standing poses which require muscle contractions in the big muscles of the legs also require extra oxygen and increase heart rate. Twists and backbends create internal pressure and help move blood around the areas being pressed and squeezed. The claves are considered the second heart, so poses that recruit the calves help move blood from the lower extremities. Inversions can also help by flipping the effects of gravity and giving the heart a little helping hand. As mentioned above we can also focus on the breath and encourage venous return , especially with an extended inhale.

EXPLORING THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IN YOUR PRACTICE
This sequence gives you the opportunity to work with your circulatory system with flowing movement, standing poses, twists, backbends and calf work. The first row warms up the spine, core, hips and calves. Row two and three are your two standing flows. Press firmly into the ground to wake up all the muscles of the legs to help get your heart pumping. You can repeat these two flows twice if you have time. The first time you move through it slowly and the second time you can move a bit faster to get a cardio effect. There is a four pose mini flow on the third row which flips your from the front of the mat to the back of the mat. The cool down includes a final twist and abdominal compression in the reverse table top to cosmic egg flow. You can take a regular savasana or you can add a bolster under your hips to get the benefits of a gentle inversion.

ALIGNMENT CUES
There is no specific peak pose in this circulatory system sequence. Focus on your breath to optimise the venous return on your inhale.

Have a read of the tips below and either print out the sequence or save it onto your device:

  • Use the breath guide in the sequence to help you link breath with movement in the flow. Inhale is indicated with a ‘+’, exhale is a ‘-”.

  • If there are specific poses that you would like to stay longer in, give yourself three deep breaths in those poses, and pick up the next pose with the allocated inhale or exhale as indicated by the sequence.

  • For a longer practice add in a Sun Salutations at the start of each mini flow or repeat each mini flow.

To save the images for personal use click and hold down the image until the ‘save image’ option appears; on Mac hold down ‘control’ and click the image to get the option box; on PC right click on the image to get the option box. Scroll down in the ‘option box’ and click ‘save image’.

Ruth Delahunty Yogaru