Where does the time go? or What excuse can I use this time?

No excuse that I can think of right off the top of my head. Let’s just blame it on the Holidays, or on Covid, or on busy-ness, or you fill in the blank _____________________.

I had intended to title this blog post “OUR AMAZING FEET”. Then I noticed dates and the urge to comment on that overcame the feet. I will, however, switch gears now and talk about the feet.

Anatomically, each foot has 26 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

And, their purpose? To support us as we move through LIFE.

And, do I pay much attention to my feet? I do now (prior to beginning my yoga practice 25 years ago, I’m sure I didn’t — unless they hurt).

Do you pay much attention to your feet? (Be honest here.)

Last weekend, I received a refresher course on the feet and ankles. Many moons ago, I had the pleasure of studying with Jenny Otto who forever imprinted on my brain the value of massaging and moving the feet (outside of our shoes).

The refresher didn’t differ too much from the lessons I took away from Jenny’s workshop. And, I break them out every so often to remind students how little we appreciate the appendages that move us through life.

A typical warm-up, focusing on the feet, goes like this:

1. Massage the sole of your left foot using your thumbs (not to create pain, but to move the fascia around on the sole of your foot). Move around the perimeter of your foot, including your heel.

2. Once complete, spread your toes and slide the fingers of the opposite hand between your toes. (Since you’re massaging your left foot, you’ll slide the fingers of your right hand between the toes. A little tip — this works best with a light oil or lotion on your hands — helps the fingers move between the toes more easily.

3. With fingers between toes, gently flex your toes several times using your hand to accomplish this.

4. Now, with fingers still between toes, squeeze your fingers with your toes (you’ll be surprised at how strong your feet are). Repeat 2-3 times, holding each squeeze for 2-3 breaths.

5. Gently slide your fingers out, give your foot a good overall rubdown, and treat each toe to a little ‘tug and a wiggle’.

6. Now, hold your ankle like a baseball bat and gently shake your foot. (Some find it challenging to relax the foot, so be patient with your new-found feet.)

7. Switch and repeat numbers 1-6 on your right foot.

8. Having completed the massage/movement part of this foot warm-up, now place the feet flat on the floor. Keep the sole of the foot rooted, as you lift your big toe on each foot. Don’t be surprised if the toes don’t respond as you’d like; remember, you’ve probably been shoving them in shoes for a number of years and they’ve ‘forgotten’.

9. Now lift all 10 toes (keeping the soles of your feet on the ground). Reach your big toe away from your foot and to the floor. Stretching the big toe away hopefully will prevent bending the toe to get it down to the floor, which I’ve read may lead to ‘hammer toes’. No one wants those, especially in the land of flip flops (So. Calif.).

10. Once you have your big toes down, can you release your little toes (the middle 3 on each foot will be up)?

For some of us, this was a big ‘ah-ha’ moment. Massaging and moving the feet as tho they were fingers! Remember that not everything goes smoothly the first go-round; practice is our friend and our feet will love us for it.

As you finish the above, come to standing. Observe your feet — how do they feel? how does the ground feel beneath them? are they lighter? more spacious? a different color?

No wrong answer just observation.

Would love to hear feedback!

Take care & be safe,