Balance. Walking. Running. Dancing. Pedicures. Standing on your tip toes trying to reach that box off the grocery store shelf. What is required for all of these things? Feet of course. Too often, we take our feet for granted as we live in a fast-paced, on the go society.
Many of us generally only pay attention to our feet when they are causing us pain or other troubles. But what do your feet think on a daily basis? Put yourself in their place and imagine what if feels like to them when you are kicking a ball or dancing the night away. Think about how your feet feel when you cram them into uncomfortable shoes or when they must carry you to the ends of the earth. Ouch, sounds like a lot of pressure to me. Taking care of your feet can help prevent or decrease the severity of various aches, pains, and diseases, so you can understand why you should pay good attention to them.
One fantastic way to show your feet that you care and keep yourself healthy is through yoga. Yoga is often thought of as a total body work out, and to be clear, it is. More specifically though, certain yoga poses allow you to concentrate on specific body parts, i.e. the feet. Let's take a quick look at just what yoga has to offer in terms of your precious tootsies.
How yoga can help
According to Yoga Journal, yoga is said to give feet a "healthy workout that they rarely get any other way". This is because the various poses allow your feet to work muscles and move in ways that they otherwise would not get the chance to do on a daily basis. Yoga allows your muscles to stretch, bend, and flex, thus increasing both strength and flexibility.
Yoga can help you catch foot troubles before they become serious, therefore helping to prevent other "structural problems" such as knee, hip, back, and shoulder pains. By incorporating a few simple yoga poses into your daily routine, you will be well on your way to creating a healthier set of soles. Below are a few common yoga poses that will help you keep your feet (and your entire body) in check.
Poses:
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose)
Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
For a complete step-by-step guide to these poses and others, check them out at Yoga Journal.
Sources:
- Haiken, Melanie, Happy Feet, Yoga Journal Online, p. 1-3.
- Poses-Foot, Yoga Journal Online.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sarai Garnett - Sarai Garnett believes that every day brings promise for great experiences. Holding a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational ...
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