Yoga has been gaining in popularity as word spreads about the health benefits that yoga provides. It strengthens and lengthens muscles, and provides increased flexibility. Not to mention it’s relaxing and fun. In terms of the feet, they are what ground the body to the floor, providing stability and balance. That balance helps when changing into the different Yoga positions. The feet have a large responsibility of always receiving the full force of the body’s weight while providing stability. The feet and ankle is the base in almost every pose in Yoga. The toes also play an important role. During movement, the big toe propels you forward while also grounding you in non-movement positions.
There is a reason why Yoga is primarily done without socks and shoes. The feet and lower extremities play a significant role in Yoga. Feet are the foundation of the body, and bare feet help to strengthen different muscles and toes. If feet are strong, the rest of the body will be strong.
Yoga can help avoid foot conditions like hammertoes, which often occur while working out because the toes rub against your shoes. Decrease the change of getting a bunion by doing Yoga. Bunions also occur when toes are crammed into shoes. Yoga also helps circulation, which diabetics find as a wonderful benefit.
For those that have never done Yoga, not all of the poses require you to be human pretzel or have the ability to stand on one’s head. Beginner classes start with simple standing poses like the Mountain Pose and the Downward Dog. These simple poses allow for beginners to start out slow and build up their feet and lower extremity muscles.
Sun and Moon Studio. (2012). Feet. Retrieved from http://www.sunandmoonstudio.com/Articles/feet.html
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