YOGA FOR HAPPY HEALTHY FEET
By Michelle Myhre
"The true man breathes with is heels"
-Chuang Tzu.
With more than 150 ligaments and an intricate network of muscles, nerves and blood vessels, our feet are both a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art. Feet support our weight and move our bodies, enduring tight shoes and long periods of standing. Feet connect us to the earth, holding up, on a typical day, a cumulative force of several hundred pounds.
When our feet hurt, we hurt all over and in ways that might be hard to comprehend. Tight muscles in the feet can pull the muscles in your neck out, affecting bones at the apex of the spine. Sore feet can also develop bone spurs and common conditions like plantar fasciaitis.
As a yoga teacher I couldn't help but wonder why yogi's have healthy, happy feet. Yoga students do not have much of the foot pain many non-yogi's experience, such as flat feet, and pain. So I began investigating the cause and effect of yoga on the feet.
Through lengthening forward bends, and foot flexion, tendons and ligaments do not shorten Stretching and lengthening the muscles and fascia of the feet and legs keep plantar fasciaitis at bay (the cause of plantar fasciatis is shortened connective tissue). Anchoring and grounding the four corners of the feet, activates the muscles in the feet which lift the arches of the feet. Keeping this musculature integrated and strong stops foot pain before it has a chance to manifest.
Reflexology is another way of keeping the feet and body healthy. Nerve endings in the feet are connected to the spinal and organ reflexes of the entire body. By putting pressure on these nerve points, stagnant energy throughout the body is released.
More than 70% of all people in the United States will have painful foot problems during their life. In Hawaii, with miles of beach to walk and slippers encasing our tan lined feet, ours are healthier than many, but we still have our issues. Even in healthy Hawaii, people who wear closed toe shoes, and those who work standing for long periods of time, can develop sore feet.
Remember foot pain is not normal. It is not something to be passively endured until it becomes debilitating. Much foot pain is preventable and reversible.
How does yoga help feet? In a typical yoga class we are flexing and pointing the feet, standing on our tip-toes, rolling over the toes, rotating the ankles, activating the muscles of the feet by pressing firmly into the earth, "putting down roots". The joints of the feet and toes are kept open. All of these actions support, strengthen, and heal the feet.
Tips for healthy feet:
- Walk on the beach. Sand is a natural pumice stone. Each step will stretch and lengthen the muscles of the feet.
- Massage your feet before bed. Use coco butter and wear socks for extra soft feet.
- Get a pedicure (men too, no polish!). Pedicures feel good physically and are psychologically uplifting, especially when massage is involved.
- Practice yoga. Build good posture from the ground up.
- Learn reflexology points and self-massage techniques.
