Feet: Baring our Soles

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  The miracle is not to fly in the air, or walk on the water, but to walk on the Earth.
  ~ Chinese proverb
  
  
  In the summer, when I was young enough to run around the neighborhood and "the fields" with my brother or friends, I was always barefooted.  I remember crossing the street and the shocking feeling of the hot cement on my tender feet at the beginning of those long, summer days.  By the time school started in the fall, my feet were properly protected by callouses I had acquired from running around without shoes.  Maybe those younger days have influenced me today, because I still prefer to be barefooted then in any "comfortable" shoe.  My feet tire in shoes, but as soon as I take them off my feet feel revived.
  I love Yoga because it is usually performed barefooted.  The practitioner has an opportunity to feel rooted to the floor through their feet.  There is an opportunity to not only lift and spread the toes but in turn to stretch the facia tissue (connective tissue) that holds everything together.  When we wear shoes that are too tight or high heels, we train the muscles, bones and connective tissue to hold the body incorrectly.  It is fascinating that you can cause back problems and knee problems just by wearing high heels!  Yikes.
  
  
  A few easy things that you can do to take care of your feet:
  • To give the bottom of your feet a massage, take a tennis ball and sit on a chair.  Place your foot on the tennis ball and roll your foot over it for several minutes.  You can move the ball toward the toes and then to the heel multiple times.  You can focus on a sensitive area, like the arch, and roll the ball until the muscles start to relax.
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  • Next, still sitting in the chair place your right ankle onto your left thigh close to the left knee.  (You can also do this on the floor with right ankle on the left thigh and the left leg straight.)  Place your right fingers between the toes on the right foot.  That's right, four finger between five toes.  Keep the fingers between the toes and every 30 seconds or so push them deeper between the toes.  Try to do this for several minutes.  After stretching both feet, get up and walk around a bit.
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  • Once a week, maybe more in winter, rub your feet with lotion before bed.  Massage the bottoms of the feet like the tennis ball instructions above, but also make circular motions as well.  I like to focus on the arches.  Lightly rub the tops of the feet and don't forget the toes.  Focus on areas that are sensitive, but just be gentle when necessary.  
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  • When you walk in the door at home, take off your shoes.  If your feet get cold, wear socks, but let your feet expand.  I think you will like this, if it isn't something you normally do.
  
  
  Something to think about as you go about your day:
  • When you are standing in line, which foot do you stand on the most?  Most people switch legs, but there usually is a dominate leg.  Try to stand on both feet without shifting side to side.  Notice how this affects the mind.  At first this may seem like a lot of work, but try it for 21 days.  It may become less of a challenge over time.
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  • Try to put the weight of your body on your heels first and use the front of the feet to stabilize and propel you forward when you walk.  When you are standing (in sensible shoes, of course) lift up your toes for a moment.  If your weight shifts to your heels keep it there and lower your toes to the floor.  Some people habitually push the pelvis forwards while putting most of their weight on the front of their feet.  If you have chronic lower back pain, you might be putting your weight in the wrong place.
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  • And lastly, for now, notice if you put more weight on the outside or inside of the foot.  First focus on the heels, but then again notice if you prefer inside or outside of the feet with your weight.  See if you can even your weight distribution.  I always tell my students that if you get taller that is a good sign.  
  
  
  As always, if you have some chronic pain or problem, never hesitate to see a doctor or healthcare professional.  Yoga is a wonderful tool to keep and maintain health, but is never a replacement for a professional's advice and care.
  
  
  Be well.
  
  
  ~Namaste`