A Move You Should Do MONDAY – Yoga toes

This one is simple and yet so powerful. And for lack of a better name, I thought I’d call it the yoga toes sequence. You should be able to perform the following sequence with your toes:

1. flex and extend (curl and straighten)
2. abduct (spread)
3. dissociation of big toe (extend big toe while flexing others; flex big toe while extending others)

Try performing six repetitions of each movement. Were you able to do it? Was it easier to do on one foot more than the other?

Why does this matter?

The primary job of the toes is to help you balance, maintain posture and propel yourself forward when you walk. The big toe has the greatest responsibility in transferring your weight from one foot to the other during the gait cycle. 

Wearing supportive shoes all day long has a tendency to make the muscles of your foot lazy. Remember the adage, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”, and the more external support your feet have, the less the muscles of your foot have to work. Here are a few strategies to combat lazy feet and toes:

1. As much as you can, walk barefoot at home. 
2. Wear socks like these. Though you might not win any style points, your toes will move more, even when you are wearing shoes, promoting a more active foot.
3. Use commercial breaks to perform the yoga toe sequence

A little bit goes a long way, so get those toes wiggling.

Because nobody has time to be in pain. 

Until next time…