Another gift of yoga is the awakening of our feet. In our daily lives, our feet are viewed as lowly, humble servants. However, in yoga the feet are recognized as the important foundation of the temple of the body. If our feet are collapsed or tilted, the repurcussions are felt all along the body. Thousands (and hundreds) of years ago, we walked barefoot on uneven surfaces rolling the soles and ankle regularly, which then led to the mobility of the knees, hips, pelvis, back, etc. Nowadays, are feet are trapped in shoes (some are more "trapped" than others) and we walk on hard, even surfaces. Not good for the rest of the body. Look at the soles of your shoes. Does the inside or the outside of the heel look more worn down? If so, there is likely extra strain on the knee, hip, or low back.
So, how do we wake up our feet? Start with the arches. Arches are the trampoline of the body and we create strong arches by extending the foot, making space in the skin, between the bones, and within the muscles. Tias Little (a fantastic yoga teacher in New Mexico) says, "By plugging down the front of the heel, the root of the little toe, and the root of the big toe, we create a triangular base that vaults the inner arch of the foot upward." We also need to lift the muscles of the lower leg that attach to the arch, which feels like a lift from the inner arch along the outer shin up to the knee an dthen up the inner thigh, all the way up to the pelvic floor.Don't forget your toes. Try to move each individually while in mountain pose. Also, when feet are off the floor while either seated or with feet in the air try to be sure the big toe is about the same distance from the knee as the pinkie toe. Play with your toes, even intertwining your fingers between your toes. Or, wear pedicure pads between your toes.
Quote for tonight's class: "What is true for today is all we need to work on today. - Aadil Pahlkivala.
This is only part one of our foot practice - part 2 is coming next Monday!
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