A constantly changing list so you might want to check back

I go through phases with all of this, but I think that’s kinda the point, right? That we have a bunch of different options, a bunch of changeable variables so our experiments with movement can always feel fresh — not only to us, so easily bored and thrown off track, but to our bodyminds also.

I use the majority of this stuff on most days.

Here we go… (Oh… and NOTE: I don’t get anything for any of this. I just like letting people know what I use and have found helpful.)

First up: WHAT TO WEAR

First up, I’m gonna dig back to when I was starting to dance so many hours a day at the age of 40. A lot of the dancing I did, including the trainings at Kripalu, were done on low cut carpets. And that shit was tearing up the balls of my feet. So I found these. They are also awesome if your feet are “sticky,” meaning you don’t get a good slide on the floor when you’re turning. They give you the perfect amount of control and slippery. (I even specifically had the pink with white polka dots pair.)

If you’re interested in wearing tights instead of yoga pants or whatever, I highly recommend actual dance tights and this company specifically. They are run resistant and when they do run, you can still wear them for a long time because they STOP. You can also cut the toes off and make them footless and they just roll up on themselves and again, no running. AND THEY GO UP TO 4X which would have been unheard of years ago in dancewear. YAY for progress!

When it comes to yoga pants and all that type of gear, I really encourage you to not spend much. You’re just sweating in this stuff!

If you’re looking for minimalist shoes for out in the world, I love anything in that vein made by Merrell. (At one point, I even happened upon, quite luckily, a pair of minimalist winter boots with no ties by Merrell. I still have them and they are still dreamy about 6 years later.)

STRETCHING HELP/Pain Relief

If you have any foot issues what so ever, my first go-to is happy feet socks. Wear them for small bits of time at first to let your feet adjust. I love to put them on when I’m watching television; they make me feel like I’m doing something good for myself while I’m just sitting there (and I really am).

Lacrosse Balls are my favorite for working with my pained back and sometimes hip, but it can be good to start with tennis balls or these, which come highly recommended by our favorite biomechanist, Katy Bowman.

Another one for your feet is this great reflexology mat. I like to sit it somewhere, like the floor in front of the kitchen sink, where I’ll get on it without thinking much about it. (And that one specifically is pricy but I’ve had it for SO LONG and there’s not a single tiny bit of damage. There are much less expensive ones to start with.)

If you’re just starting with a foam roller, I recommend this (and make sure to get the 36 inch long one; you will need it), but if you’re needing something more intense, there’s this (my favorite; it’s super heavy).

Specifically to stretch your feet and ankles, you really need a half round. It’s much more comfortable than a thick book or a yoga block.

WEIGHTS and RESISTANCE

One of my new favorite things are those freaking bala bangle weights. Have you seen them? I love how they fit and just adding the one or two pounds to your ankles or wrists is great to give a little more resistance to some healthy bodyweight movements. (DON’T WEAR THEM WALKING. All you do is throw off your alignment and decrease how healthy walking is for your bones.) (Also… check Amazon and other retailers. Sometimes you can find them on sale. But pay attention to the weight you’re getting.)

I have a variety of little hand weights, starting at 4 pounds each, like this. My heaviest is only 12 pounds and you know… that can be freaking plenty! And I like the feel of the neoprene covering. I never worry that I’m going to drop them.

Remember thigh master?!?! I think it must have been modeled after the Pilates ring, which I happen to love and can be used in so many ways!

I LOVE THESE BANDS. They STAY IN PLACE. The ones that are just plastic are constantly rolling up on you. And they come in this other size for different movement.

THE MOST EXTRA THINGS I OWN

A few years ago, my husband surprised me with this barre that I had been eyeing for so freaking love. It’s sitting right next to me as I type this. It is made even better than I thought it would be. It’s heavy in the right ways and never ever moves no matter what you’re doing. And, of course, it folds to basically nothing so you can slide it under a couch or bed.

And my most recent acquisition: my walking pad. Don’t spend a lot. This one is working out great, and it can easily take running (if that’s your thing… eep!).