SMFRTherapy is Self Myofascial Release, which is aimed at increasing your interoceptive awareness of how your body feels, and helps you release tensions that are not helpful. It uses a number of different tools, such as the 10cm soft ball, a foam roller and a “peanut”, with a slow and softening approach that helps gain a greater sense of wellbeing.
SMFRTherapy can be done as a group class (currently only online) and also as one to one (online or in person at the Clerkenwell Clinic only).
Group classes are generalised and whilst they may focus on specific areas they consider the body as a whole unit, as the underlying idea is that working in one area will influence the whole body, and other areas may be more involved in the issue than you are anticipating.
One to One classes can be tailored to suit you and your individual needs.
Benefits
SMFRTherapy increases your perception of how your body moves and feels, allowing you to identify areas of tension and release them using the tools in a gentle way that supports your body. By gaining a deeper inner awareness you’ll be able to reconnect with your body, reduce pain and stress and restore well-being.
What happens in class?
The class plan will include a number of elements that will help you become more aware of your body and help improve your interoceptive (the fancy name for inner awareness) ability.
The class uses the concept of biotensegrity (that idea all body parts help to create, maintain and share tension throughout the body) so that whilst a class may have a focus on one area (such as the hips or shoulders) there will be elements that look at other parts of the body and how they might be involved.
The techniques are done slowly and with care and with a number of adaptations or stages that allow you to work at your own level. There are also gentle stretches and gentle contractions that help to improve general well-being.
Prices for Online Classes
Drop in: £12
Block of 5: £55 (equivalent of £11 per class)
Block of 10: £100 (equivalent of £10 per class)
Cancellation policy: Please give 24 hours’ notice, else you will not get a refund. Please cancel via the Calendly email that you will have received on booking. If you have a block booking and want to cancel all subsequent clases, you will be charged the drop in rate for the number of classes you have attended and the remainder will be refunded.
One-to-One
CLASSES
Booking
New attendees to complete an intake form:
A word document version of the form is available on request.
Please complete and email back to me, I will then send you the booking link and details on how to pay.
Please note these classes and one-to-ones are not open to participants from the USA or Canada.
Disclaimer
SMFRTherapy is not a substitute for medical intervention or injury rehabilitation. Online participants are solely responsible for their practice of SMFRTherapy on your own and when I am also unable to see what you are doing in a class setting. Please immediately stop doing this treatment and ask for assistance if you feel discomfort and/or pain
What equipment do I need?
The SMFTherapy class mostly takes place on the floor, as this allows you to relax with the support of the floor, although some approaches can be adapted to sitting in a chair or against a wall.
So generaly, having a yoga/pilates mat or carpet to lie on, and maybe a couple of pillows would be helpful.
SMFTherapy makes use of three tools:
- a soft 10cm ball,
- a foam roller (ideally 90cm long, with a 10cm diameter)
- a peanut
I have some soft balls, and also some peanuts, which you can buy from me. Please get in contact with me if you want a ball and peanut. The balls are supplied deflated and need a thin/needle nozzle on a bike pump. I can arrange for a set to be sent to you and can also get a 10cm foam roller delivered to you. Please get in touch.
I have instructions for creating a temporary, alternative made from a sock and two tennis balls that can be found here. These are a temporary solution, and are not quite as good as a proper “peanut” tool, and the MFR supplied one is great. If you do source your own, then I would strongly recommend that the diameter of the peanut ball is no more than 6cm.