Under your skin is a bodysuit of cells, collagen and fluid that cohesively covers, separates and interpenetrates your muscle tissue. This connective tissue system is called fascia.

It’s a sticky spiderweb supporting your muscles and your organs without interruption from your head to your toes. Movement happens in the fascial planes when muscles and joints (each wrapped in fascia like a gift box wrapped in cellophane) slide and glide past each other.

This means that your range of motion is dependent on the health of your fascial system. In fact, research suggests that pathological tension actually happens in the fascial tissues, not the muscle tissues themselves. This research also suggests that keeping your fascia healthy through focused movement, gentle stretching and Myofascial Release helps downregulate pain perception globally, not just locally.

This month I’ll be sharing ways I use this knowledge to help my personal yoga therapeutics clients alleviate discomfort and feel better inside and out.