When a client of mine began training last fall, she suffered from double scoliosis, migraine headaches, low back spasms, insomnia, severe depression, lack of motivation, stress eating, and was 40lb. overweight. After about 3 months of careful and targeted strength training and stretching plus a weekly rolfing session that would make most men cry, her posture improved dramatically, she lost a little over 20lb., her motivation soared, and her headaches, insomnia, and back spasms virtually disappeared. The problem is that when you experience that much success you are bound to hit a plateau and she did, until she discovered a new fitness tool called The Miracle Ball Method

The Miracle Ball Method
This system created by Elaine Petrone consists of two small vinyl balls and a book filled with breathing and ball exercises that are designed specifically for people who suffer from chronic pain, stress, and muscle tension that is debilitating and even depressing. Her miracle ball method is used by hospitals, psychologists, physical therapy centers, personal trainers, and athletes, to re-algin the body, de-stress, boost energy levels, lengthen muscles, and alleviate pain and the anxiety that comes with all that.

How Does It Work
You start by learning simple breathing exercises that you will use while on the balls, then you place the balls under specific areas of your body and just lay there and breathe! After you're done with each exercise which lasts about 5-7 minutes (10-20 minutes as you become more comfortable with them) you perform a full body move that compliments that ball exercise. Simple and effective but a challenge for many of us who are constantly on the go. "Most of us are doers and it's difficult to just lay there doing nothing but that is the point of these balls, to use gravity to eliminate tension and pain caused by injuries, stress, and poor posture/alignment" explains Petrone .

Get Started Now:
Try Petrone's Open Mouth Breathing Exercise right now and notice the difference almost immediately. Copied with permission directly from her book The Miracle Ball Method:

Step 1: Hold your hand a few inches in front of your mouth. Open your mouth and exhale for as long as you can, making a hushed "haaa" sound, as if you were trying to fog up a cold window. Feel the weight of your jaw as you exhale. Just like any other area of your body, your jaw has weight. Try to become aware of that weight when you open your mouth, but don't force it.

Step 2: At the end of the exhalation, slowly bring your lips together (without clenching your teeth) and notice if there is any change in your breathing.

Step 3: Repeat this breath work for 5-7 minutes. Do you feel your breath filling the back and sides of your rib cage, abdominal area, chest or shoulders? If you felt relief fromt this it's due to your muscles receiving the oxygen they need to remain flexible and unstressed. Combined with the simple ball exercises and full body moves your body will begin to function the way it's supposed to, without pain or tension.

The Miracle Ball Method is an Awesome Fitness Tool for Anyone!