Exercises For Your Feet

You know your feet have a big job to do. That is why it is important for your feet to always be supple and flexible, no matter what age! Exercises for your feet can be done practically anywhere… so you have no excuse.

Yoga therapy has wonderful exercises to keep the feet smooth, flexible and pain free! Yoga can develop proper alignment of the knees, ankles and feet. It can help to prevent such foot problems as bunions, plantar fasciitis and shin splints.

Stretching in general, is either dynamic (meaning they involve motion) or static (meaning they involve no motion). Dynamic stretches affect dynamic flexibility and static stretches affect static flexibility (and dynamic flexibility to some degree). Just as there are different types of flexibility, there are also different types of stretching. When done properly, stretching can do more than just increase flexibility. Benefits of stretching include: *enhanced physical fitness *enhanced ability to learn and perform skilled movements *increased mental and physical relaxation *enhanced development of body awareness *reduced risk of injury to joints, muscles, and tendons *reduced muscular soreness *reduced muscular tension *increased suppleness due to stimulation of the production of chemicals which, lubricate connective tissues

Exercises for the Feet

1. Increased flexibility relieves hammertoe and bunions: Sitting in a chair, rest your heels on the floor. Be sure the heels are in line with the knees. Inhale as you flex your toes, so there is space between them, them, slowly lift them up toward your knees, flexing the angle of the feet. Exhale and press through the center of the feet as you place them back on the floor. Toes are the last thing to touch the floor. Keep your heels on the floor the entire time. Repeat 15-20 times. Improve the flexibility of your feet, click here. 2. Strengthens ankles and calves: Face the wall with your feet together. You can use the wall for balance only. Press up through the feet, lifting your heels as high as possible. Slowly lower. Repeat 15-20 times. For additional help with this pose and variations, click here.

3. Relieves plantar fasciitis, strengthens arches: While sitting, place your foot on a towel on the floor and scrunch the towel toward you with your toes. Scrunch the towel inch by inch, so it bunches up under your arch. Repeat 15-20 times.

4. Relieves symptoms from bunions: Weave the fingers of one hand between each of the toes of your opposite foot. With a firm grip, massage and stretch the toes and ball of the foot. Open the space between the toes and work on the mobility of the foot. Repeat 15-20 times.