Wake up your Toes

Why Toes are Important

When starting yoga classes, moving our toes can be challenging. Toes can feel dull and immobile from years of being crammed into shoes and not spread. As part of the human balance system, toes are consequential in providing a foundation for grounding and balance. They are also important in the push-off action while walking, running, climbing and swimming. When toes are stiff, it affects the efficiency of walking and the way of carrying oneself. As a result, other joints and muscles come into force to compensate which can contribute to inflammatory ailments such as tendinitis at the foot or at the knee.

Spread your Toes to Improve Mobility and Balance

Yoga provides an excellent way to stretch, move and work the toes and feet. Actively abducting or spreading the toes away from the midline (center toe) helps to improve mobility. The action of abducting the toes takes practice and patience as these are some the smallest muscles in the body and are commonly neglected and immobile. Other benefits include increased muscle strength, flexibility, circulation and pain relief in the toes and feet.

Yoga Poses/Exercises that improve mobility and flexibility of the toes:

• Downward-facing Dog pose

• Balancing on the toes

• Lifting and spreading toes

• Hero pose

• Warrior III pose

• Cobra pose

• Eagle pose

For more exercises and remedies, see post titled Feet - Roots to the Earth.

Avoid these poses unless you are practising under the supervision of a qualified teacher.