Unless you’ve been on a social media hiatus, you’ve probably seen an increasing number of yoga wheel pics pop up in your feed. Not sure what this gadget is exactly? Or thinking you’ll never understand how to use it? Here, we demystify the yoga wheel.
Open Your Shoulders
This amazing device opens your shoulders like nothing I have ever experienced before. Do yourself a favor: Roll on it, lie on it, breathe on it, relax on it, and feel your stress melt from your shoulders. It is definitely an exercise in exhaling and letting go, but when you do, it feels so, so good. Think of the yoga wheel as yoga blocks times 10 to optimally open your shoulders.
Open Your Sides
Really opening up your side body isn’t easy. Many people can’t quite figure it out without just the right adjustment from a yoga teacher in just the right pose. The yoga wheel will open the sides of your body and create all sorts of space to move that you never knew existed. Simply kneel next to the wheel, drape your side over it, and be prepared to lengthen. No yoga instructor required!
Open Your Back
Lying on top of the yoga wheel gives your back the perfect amount of support, allowing you to release enough tension to really loosen up. Lie on the wheel whichever way feels best and take lots of deep breaths. Reaching for your toes is completely optional!
Advance Your Backbends
Not only does the yoga wheel open your back, but it enhances your back flexibility in general. This allows you to play with more advanced variations of backbends that you may never have dreamed you could get into. As always, proceed with caution, awareness, and lots of deep breathing. Only you know what feels good for your body, so keep in touch with how you’re feeling every breath of the way.
Improve Your Balance
If you can balance on this wheel, you can balance on pretty much anything. Practice first with your hands on the ground, and when you feel steady, test out your favorite standing poses on the yoga wheel (hello, core workout!). Doing this on soft ground or with a wall nearby is highly recommended to prevent injury.