Taking care of the foundations
 - the feet

“The feet are the foundation of our Yoga practice. Their connection with the earth creates stability and transfers energy. An awareness of the importance of these roots, and how balance is initiated through the feet, will help to develop a sensitivity of the connections between the body and the elements.
We are all aware of the benefits to the mind when the body is in balance. The sense of stillness, awareness and peace... The mind and body working in harmony to develop the skills of balance and control.
Now science has caught up with what we have been feeling during our practice - the benefits of an occasional wobble!
Walking on horizontal paths and society’s increasing determination to eliminate any bumps and steps is having a detrimental affect on our bodies.
The increase in back problems, varicose veins and numerous other physical problems both minor and life threatening, are the result of lack of use of our bodies. Take away the challenges and the body ceases to respond, leading to the inability to respond and ultimately disability.
Of course Yoga is the perfect way to restore strength, vitality and balance to the body. Other inventions are now being introduced to replace the cobbles and pathways that have been removed as councils and other authorities try to smooth the way.
The body is uniquely designed to cope with the earth’s challenging terrain. The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and muscles, tendons and ligaments all designed to move and adjust depending on the terrain. Take away the bumps and gradients and forces are concentrated in just a few areas compromising muscle strength in other areas of the body and compromising blood circulation.
High blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis and other structural problems have been related to a lack of challenge to our balance. Add to this the sad fact that a lack of movement to these complicated joints will lead to the joints losing their ability to adapt to different terrains and you can see how environment impacts on our bodies ability to function...”

This article continues to discuss further the feet and the value of balances in improving the relationship between the mind and body , followed by several asanas and a description of foot-related problems. The author of the article, Wendy Jacob is a qualified Yoga teacher and personal trainer who is also a freelance journalist specialising in health exercise and wellbeing. Wendy teaches classes and gives personal tuition in the York area.