THE FEET

It often begins in the feet.

What?  Whatever is causing the pain in the knee, hip, back, shoulders, even up to the neck.

Tomorrow, I'm conducting a short workshop to introduce some students to their feet.  It seems needed.  Especially after the past 6 days, in which I saw and learned the following:

• An intermediate yoga student, struggling with a heel spur and resolving plantar fasciitis.  After talking a bit, we agreed that the special shoes and orthotics are valuable, but working with the feet, exercising them, massaging them, asking them to work a bit is a way to perhaps eliminate the foregone surgical conclusion that many of her specialists speak of.    
• Another experienced student, with a sore right knee.  She'd been in class many times with other instructors and had received good advice about shins in. The problem? She pronates both feet. To move shins in any more (without working on the feet) is going to exacerbate the problem (further shortening the outer shin muscles and lengthening the inner calf muscles, and weakening tibialis anterior more than it already is).  We did some work, on the feet again, energizing the sole of the foot (trying to create stronger arches).  Also did some foot massage and toe 'exercises'. Then moved to the ankles, which roll in and further compound the pronation.  

All this is hard work -- we are not used to working with the feet, therefore it can be really frustrating.  Trying to spread toes that have been used to staying in their comfortable, safe spot inside shoes.  Then, ask one or more of those toes to move independently!  Super frustrating work.  As I mentioned to both of these students, 'do not be surprised if your legs are a bit sore after this'.  

Additionally, I am participating in a webinar with Martin Kirk over the next few weeks.  Each time I tell students to stand with feet parallel, I mention that this position is a 'life lesson' - that allowing the feet to turn out as we stand or walk has a negative impact on our hips, slightly moving the femurs out of the socket and lengthening the supporting ligaments and muscles.  He added more ammunition to my 'armory' of reasons -- specifically, when we stand with feet turned out, the lumbar curve (which we need) actually begins to straighten out.  

Students learn, I learn.  What a great cycle of experience and education.  

In closing, my approach:  no matter what the problem, I stand back, listen and observe. I may learn more than I expected and I will be better prepared to help.  

Have a great Friday!