*Please note- this blog post was written during my time at Brain Fit Academy Inc. I have since continued this amazing work under my own company- Brain FUNdamentals LLC. I hope you enjoy!

Sometimes my clients think I'm a little weird because I name some of my equipment- like "Big Green Ball", and "Heavy Pink Ball". They give me that rolling eyes look as if to say- "Really, Amy?!?"

And sure, I suppose I could come up with a little more of a catchy name- or name the equipment with an actual name- like Fred, or Georgina. But alas, I'm afraid the names "Big Green Ball" and "Heavy Pink Ball" are here to stay. What can I say? I guess I like to name the equipment based on their qualities. Regardless, those pieces of equipment are important to my sessions and I rely on them to help me do my job!

So at this point, you may be wondering just who "Heavy Pink Ball" is. And...you probably guessed that she (yup- it's a she) is heavy. And pink. And a ball.

Heavy Pink Ball is the ball I use to roll on my clients. It's one of those weighted "medicine balls"- 6 pounds to be exact. And, like me- if you want to know why it's called a "medicine" ball- apparently they've been used for thousands of years as a tool to help people get stronger, rehabilitate, etc. I didn't know that until recently, did you?

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Heavy Pink Ball.

Heavy Pink Ball gets to use its "medicinal" properties mostly during "rest" time. Remember- that every Brain Fit session contains work, play and rest. Rest is the time during the session when we do quieter movement activities so it would make sense that this is when Heavy Pink Ball gets to be in the limelight. Generally- we aren't tossing around a 6 pound ball during play time!

One of our movement activities is called "squeezies". Squeezies is when the coach uses their hands to "squeeze" the arms and legs of the client- starting from the core and working outwards to the feet and hands. The activity provides deep pressure into the muscles and joints and many kids really like it. It calms them and gives them the proprioceptive sensory input that they might not receive from their body otherwise.

Sometimes however, my clients prefer it when Heavy Pink Ball does the squeezies job. It may be because she is weighted and gives deeper pressure than what I can provide. Or it may be because some kids just prefer the feel of the ball over my hands. Heavy Pink Ball is always in my car- she lives in my stuffed toy bag- so in the winter the ball can feel cool to the touch, which some clients find soothing. And in the summer- she can feel warm. Again- soothing.

Heavy Pink Ball also comes in handy for balancing and other activities. Since she is filled with sand, she can withstand a child standing on her and not be damaged. So- when we are working on the feet reflexes, I use her to help with "the floor is lava" game. Or- if I just want a client to try balancing on a small surface, Heavy Pink Ball never lets me down.

Heavy Pink Ball is one of those pieces of equipment that I carry to every session. Yeah- she adds 6 pounds of weight to my bag right off the bat, but it's worth it. She's glad to come along to help me with my sessions, and the kids really like her.

The kids really do like Heavy Pink Ball and will ask for her. Even- if they think it's weird that I named her.