Self-Hugging: A How-To

A friend of mine let me know she hadn't had any human contact with anyone in 5 days. Not a single high five or hug... And this friend loves hugs. Needless to say she's -- WE'VE -- been going through lots of emotions lately and the thought of limiting our human interaction for who knows how long can feel... Well, I don't have to tell you.

We need a hug. And mental clarity. And, from what I've heard from at least three people today, we need to get the kinks out of our necks that have settled in from less-than-ideal posture.

Enter the Egg Roll, one of my favorite Original Strength moves!

I'll tell you why I love it below but if you're in a hurry to feel better, here's how you do it:

• Find some space on the floor where you can move to the left and right, preferably carpeted or where you have a yoga mat
• Curl your body into a ball while you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, breathing in and out through your nose (if you're stuffy, just work on breathing any way you can)
• STARTING WITH YOUR EYES, look to one side then let your head follow until the rest of your body needs to follow. 
• If you have the mobility, keep on looking to see what's behind you as I demonstrate in the video
• When you've gone as far as you can go, LOOK WITH YOUR EYES to the opposite direction, letting your head follow, followed by your body
• You should look like an egg rolling on a counter! Get it?

Watch this video below:

Here are a few reasons I LOVE this movement:

• If feels good. It just does.
• You get to light up a lot of nerve endings as your roll your body on the floor, similar to what you get out of a hug!
• It's fun! Babies roll on the floor because it's their job but adults are expected to just sit in front of a computer all day? No thanks.
• By practicing leading your movements with your eyes FIRST, you get to give your neck a break. Quality head control (and posture) starts with the eyes! Master this and your neck discomfort will be a thing of the past.
• Your spine gets super gentle rotation which it needs to stay healthy.

​Practice this rad move for a few minutes per day and let me know how you feel in the comments below!

​Stay safe, stay healthy and keep moving!