Yoga @ Home: Love your feet
Our feet. They carry us around all day. We cram them into boots, heels, sneakers, we run around on them, we use them to kick and stomp and jump - they never get a break.
As a ballet dancer, I know how important it is to nourish and thank your feet for all the hard work they do!
Today I'm going to give you a couple of things that you can do to send a little love to your tootsies! These would be awesome after a long day on your toes, or even as a wake up for your feet in the morning. Work them into your daily routine, love your feet and they will love you back!
1. Toe wiggles
Warm up your little piggies by giving them a wiggle! See if you can think about moving each toe one at a time. Practice curling and flexing your toes, let them go wild!
2. Miss Anne's foot stretches
These stretches were taught to me by one of my ballet teachers, the brilliant Miss Anne.
Standing up, cross your right calf over your left shin. Point your right foot so that the top of your toes are resting on the ground. Then bend your left knee to feel the stretch! Repeat on the other side. Then repeat with the toes flexed, on demi pointe, as if you were on your tippy toes.
3. Toe Squat
Sit on your knees with your toes flexed. This one is tough! If you are in pain come out of the pose or lift your bottom off your heels as much as you need to. Stretch out that ball joint!
4. Hero pose
Lay your ankles and tops of your feet flat on the floor and sit on your heels. Remember to sit up tall! A gentle ankle stretch.
5. Foot massage
After all that stretching, it's time to send some really mindful love to your tootsies. Grab some moisturiser or body butter and give your feet a really good rub. Make sure you do your toes, ball joint, arch, heel, top of your foot, back of your foot and even the ankle and achilles.
6. Legs up the wall pose
Find a wall, lie flat on your back with your bottom as close to the wall as possible. Send your feet skyward and rest them on the wall. Allow the blood flow to come down to your vital organs and give your feet a well-earned rest.
Well done, you've shown your feet some real TLC!
Namaste x
