Yoga with your Toes

Via

Funny title right? The thought might produce a smirk but the benefits are unbelievable.

Few of us consider the well being of our toes; we squeeze them into pointy shoes and ram them into corners. Apart for pedicures, when do we really think about our toes? Well, maybe we should.

Toes allow us to walk. They provide balance, weight-bearing, and thrust in our step. Lots of muscles come to play when it comes to our toes; muscles we rarely stretch or consciously exercise.

My classic Hatha class has changed the way I look and exercise my toes. Ever since my first class, I have felt the benefits of the toe exercises.My little toe, which looks like a boneless jelly bean no longer cramps up. My balance has improved and so has my toe dexterity - what used to be 5 motionless sticks are now clearly articulated muscles that I can stretch and wriggle and grab things with. Monkey toes! Well, not exactly, I won't be hanging from them anytime soon.

What are these exercises?
1. Sitting on your mat, back straight, arms at your sides and legs extended before you in staff pose, curl and release your toes 10 times and then hold for another 10 seconds. Easy enough, but make sure all ten toes are solicited.

2. Still in staff pose, point your feet and alternate between ballerina pointed toes and spread toes (like if you were standing on your toes - Demi-pointe). Hold each for 2 sec and repeat 5 times.

3. Sitting in staff pose, cross your left leg over your right and just as you would your hands, intertwine your toes. Pinky with pinky and so on until you can hook your big toes together. Your feet will end up back to back (top of your feet together not your soles). Give yourself 15 secs and independently of how many toes you've managed to intertwine, squeeze and release. Cross your right leg over your left and repeat.
It's harder than you think, remember to breathe and laugh at your struggle. It took me a while to get to the big toe because it also requires your ankle to be flexible (great stretch for your ankles by the way).

Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Namaste.



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