In a recent gyrotonic session my instructor placed a squishy, grapefruit-sized green ball under my neck and told me to relax and breathe. I did, but as the moments ticked on I thought that this was a lot of money for a nap. But when she had me eventually sit up, my neck and shoulders felt more open and relaxed than they have in months.

The aptly named Miracle Balls are the brainchildren of former dancer Elaine Petrone. After a career-ending injury, she spent about 20 years developing these deceptively simple balls along with companion books, CDs, and DVDs. The idea is that instead of stretching, which often involves pushing already tight muscles, these balls encourage melting. A lazy person’s yoga, all you do is place the balls where you need them (two balls come with a book that explains it all) and let the tension melt out of your body. They can help release shoulders, hips, knees, back, and neck. And the site says they’re good for everything from TMJ to migraines. On the starter kit’s Amazon review section Fibromyalgia sufferers are particularly vocal; the balls can release trigger points, a major part of the disorder. One reviewer wrote, “the relief I feel from the hot tub does not compare to the relief I recieved [sic] from my first 15-20 minute session with the Miracle Ball Method.”

These balls are not to be confused with standard fitness balls or Yamuna balls that you stretch and roll on. Here, the main goal is therapy, not specifically fitness, though relaxed muscles have more capacity to become strong muscles. If you’re in the Connecticut area you can take lessons and classes with Petrone. Or you can get the starter kit and try it yourself. If it’s not a miracle, it will at least offer a moment of deep rest.